'1 


8V 


OF  THE 


City  of  Nashville 


Tennessee 


An  Ordinance  Providing  for  Fire  Limits  and 
Regulations  Governing  the  Construction, 
Alteration,  Equipment,  Repair  or 
Renewal  of  Buildings  or  Struc- 
tures within  the  Cor- 
porate Limits. 


COMMISSION  GOVERNMENT 


GEO.  J.  TOMPKINS,  Com.  Fire,  Sprinkling  and  Building  Inspection 


JAS.  H.  YEAMAN 
ROBT.  T.  MOORE 


. . . Supervisor  of  Buildings 

Assistant  Supervisor  of  Buildings 
. . . . Electrical  Inspector 

. Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector 
Secretary 


CLIFF  P.  COCHRAN 
WM.  G.  REYER.  . 
JOHN  T.  MARLER 


NASHVILLE,  TENN.: 

PRESS  OF  MARSHALL  & BRUCE  COMPANY 

1917 


(oU^'V  .. 

H\^  FOREWORD. 

\°v  n 


In  consideration  for  the  best  Code  of  Building  Laws  to  be  had, 
the  Commissioner  sent  special  requests  to  all  the  building  interests, 
the  Builders’  Exchange  and  the  Real  Estate  Exchange,  property 
owners  and  all  who  would  like  to  participate  in  or  advise  along  any 
matter  that  would  shed  light  on  or  better  the  conditions  and  ordi- 
nances relative  to  a new  Code.  The  following  gentlemen  very 
kindly  tendered  their  services,  and  have  made  it  possible  to  have 
an  up-to-date  Building  Code  by  recommending  the  following  to' Vie 
Board  of  Commissioners  for  enactment  into  laws.  They  deserve  the 
thanks  of  every  citizen  in  our  great  and  growing  city. 


u- 


c ' 


Architects. 


Russell  E.  Hart, 

B.  J.  Hodge, 

Homer  Colley, 

C.  K.  Colley, 

Jos.  W.  Holman, 
L.  E.  Kern. 

Civil  Engineers. 

Prof.  C.  S.  Brown, 
Hunter  McDonald, 
S.  F.  Pfeifer, 

W.  F.  Widen er, 

F.  E.  Freeland, 
Chas.  Simpson, 

W.  H.  Allen, 

S.  E.  Linton. 

Contractors. 

J.  W.  Patrick, 

Jas.  A.  Sloan, 

H.  E.  Parmer, 

B.  G.  Rash, 

G.  C.  Link, 

M.  M.  Brien, 

H.  P.  Jacobs, 
Wilber  Creighton. 
Jno.  W.  Lee, 

Jas.  Shingleton, 
C.  C.  Ftiller, 

A.  Tillman  Jones. 

Insurance. 

Elliott  Middleton, 
F.  B.  Quackenbos, 

J.  0.  Treanor, 

C.  V.  Norred. 

Signs. 

Chas.  A.  Howell, 

Wm.  Sory, 

E.  Wasserman,  J.  W.  Seaton, 

W.  A.  Sheetz,  Nashville  Ry.  & Light  Co. 

Chas.  W.  Schuyler,  State  Fire  Prevention  Commissioner, 

W.  L.  Mitchell,  State  Factory  Inspector, 

The  Nashville  Building  Exchange, 

The  Nashville  Real  Estate  Exchange, 

A.  A.  Rosetta,  Chief  of  Fire  Department, 

And  many  property  owners  and  capitalists. 


Compiled  by 


45630A 


Jas.  H.  Yeaman, 
Supervisor  of  Buildings . 


* 


. 

' 

■ - 

. 


' 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PART.  'PAGE. 

I.  Remedial  Ordinance 3 

II.  Fire  Limits,  Plans,  Approvals,  Repairs,  Duties  of 

Supervisor,  Board  of  Appeal 3 

III.  Building  Inspection,  Fees,  Bond  for  use  of  Streets, 

etc 13 

IV.  Piling  of  Materials,  Bond  for  Wrecking,  House  Mov- 

ing, Building  in  Fire  Retarding  Zone 16 

V.  Definitions 18 

VI.  Classification  of  Buildings 24 

VII.  Areas  to  be  Occupied 29 

VIII.  Excavation  and  Foundation 31 

IX.  Walls,  Piers,  Ashler,  Tables  of  Wall  Thickness 38 

X.  Heights  and  Areas 49 

XI.  Allowable  Loads 51 

XII.  Means  of  Egress,  Stairways,  Smokeproof  Towers, 

Fire  Escapes 53 

XIII.  Tests,  Quality  and  Weights  of  Materials 63 

XIV.  Working  Stresses 69 

XV.  Cast  Iron  Construction 73 

XVI.  Steel  Construction 75 

XVII.  Timber  Construction 79 

XVIII.  Roofs  and  Roof  Construction 81 

XIX.  Fire  Doors,  Fire  Windows  and  Shutters 85 

XX.  Protection  of  Vertical  Openings,  Shafts,  etc 87 

XXI.  Miscellaneous  Construction  Requirements 92 

XXII.  Vaults,  Area  Ways  and  Projecting  Structures 94 

XXIII.  Mill  Construction 95 

XXIV.  Fireproof  Construction  and  Fireproofing 98 

XXV.  Pressed  Steel  Construction 106 

XXVI.  Reinforced  Concrete  Construction 107 

XXVII.  Reinforced  Concrete  for  Fireproofing 123 

XXVIII.  Fire  Tests  of  Construction 126 

XXIX.  Strength  Tests  of  Floor  Construction 128 

XXX.  Chimneys,  Flues  and  Heating  Apparatus 131 

XXXI.  Buildings,  Raised,  Altered,  Repaired  or  Moved 137 

XXXII.  Frame  Buildings 138 

XXXIII.  ^tandpipe  Requirements 142 

XXXIV.  Sprinkler  Requirements 145 

XXXV.  Construction  and  Equipment  of  Theaters 148 

XXXVI.  Construction  of  Moving  Picture  Theaters 166 

XXXVII.  Assembly  Halls,  Safety  Requirements 169 

XXXVIII.  Garages 170 

XXXIX.  Storage  and  Handling  of  Volatile  Substances 172 

XL.  Buildings  for  Dry  Cleaning 176 

XLI.  Storage  and  Handling  of  Dynamite,  Powder,  etcl.  182 

XLII.  Enclosures  around  Elevators  in  General 184 

XLIII.  Signs,  Bill  Boards,  Fences,  Awnings — Bonds  for___  185 

XLIV.  Marquise 192 

XLV.  Protection  of  Workmen  and  the  Public 192 

XLVI.  Tenement  Houses  in  General 194 

XLVII.  Drilling  and  Blasting 203 

XLVIII.  Work  on  Sabbath  Day 204 

XLIX.  Electrical  Installation 204 

L.  Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspection 208 

LI.  Duty  oi  City  Officers,  Complete  Ordinance 224 

LII.  Fines  and  Penalties.. 225 


section.  . 
241-242 

243-255 

256-257 

258-264 
' ” )5 

266— 26T 
268 
269-276 
277-292 
293-294 
295-299 

300-311 

312-325 

326-329 

330-331 

332-337 

338-342 

343-350 

351-352 

353-357 

358-361 

362-365 

366-373 

374-380 

-381 

382-426 

427-438 

439 

440-442 

443-451 

452 

453-458 

459 

460 
461-519 
520-523 

524 

525-530 

531-542 

543-550 

551-556 

557-560 

561-582 

583 

584-587 

588-617 

618 

619 

620-628 

629-645 

646-648 

649 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/buildinglawsofciOOnash 


BUILDING  LAWS. 


PART  I. 


A Remedial  Ordinance. 

241.  This  Ordinance  to  be  Known  and  Cited  a®  the  Building 
Code. 

1.  The  following  provisions  shall  constitute  and  be  known  as  the 
Building  Code,  and  may  be  cited  as  such  and  presumptively  provides 
for  all  matters  concerning,  affecting  or  relating  to  the  construction, 
equipment,  alteration,  repair  or  removal  of  buildings  or  any  struc- 
ture whatsoever  erected  or  to  be  erected  in  the  City  of  Nashville, 
Tennessee. 

2.  Unless  existing  buildings  or  structures  are  specifically  men- 
tioned, the  provisions  of  this  Code  shall  apply  only  to  buildings  or 
structures  hereafter  erected  or  altered. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 

242.  Building  Code  a Remedial  Ordinance  Applying  to  New 
Buildings  and  Buildings  to  be  Altered  or  Repaired. — This  ordinance 
is  hereby  declared  to  be  remedial,  and  is  to  be  construed  liberally  to 
secure  the  beneficial  interests  and  purposes  thereof. 

Idem. 


PART  II. 


Pire  Limits,  Plans,  Approvals,  Repairs,  Definitions. 

243.  The  following  shall  be  the  fire  limits  of  the  City  of  Nash- 
ville, Tennessee,  and  shall  be  bounded  as  follows:  Beginning  at  a 
point  on  the  western  bank  of  the  Cumberland  River  on  a direct  line 
of  Wharf  Avenue  (if  projected  and  intersecting  with  said  river)  ; 
thence  westward  on  said  line  and  Wharf  Avenue  and  Chestnut  Street 
to  Fourth  Avenue,  South;  thence  northward  on  Fourth  Avenue, 
South,  to  Oak  Street ; thence  westward  on  Oak  Street  and  Bass  Street 
to  Eighth  Avenue,  South ; thence  southward  on  Eighth  Avenue,  South, 
to  Douglas  Avenue;  thence  westward  on  Douglas  Avenue  to  Tenth 
Avenue,  South;  thence  southward  on  Tenth  Avenue,  South,  to  Law- 

(3) 


4 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


rence  Avenue  ; thence  westward  on  ’Lawrence  Avenue  to  Twelfth 
Avenue,  South,;  thence  southward  on  Twelfth  Avenue,  South,  to  Lin- 
den Avenue  ; thence  westward  on  Linden  Avenue  to  Belmont  Boule- 
vard; thence  northward  on  Belmont  Boulevard  to  Acklen  Avenue; 
thence  westward  on  Acklen  Avenue  to  Twenty-first  Avenue;  thence 
northward  on  Twenty-first  Avenue  to  Capers  Avenue,  or  Peabody 
Place;  thence  westward  on  Capers  Avenue,  or  Peabody  Place,  to 
Thirty-second  Avenue;  thence  northward  on  Thirty-second  Avenue 
to  West  End  Avenue;  thence  eastward  on  West  End  Avenue  to 
Twenty-fifth  Avenue;  thence  northward  on  Twrenty-fifth  Avenue  to 
Cedar  Street ; thence  eastward  on  Cedar  Street  to  Eleventh  Avenue ; 
thence  northward  on  Eleventh  Avenue  to  Jo  Johnston  Avenue;  thence 
eastward  on  Jo  Johnston  Avenue  to  Tenth  Avenue,  North;  thence 
northward  on  Tenth  Avenue,  North,  to  Jefferson  Street ; thence  east- 
ward on  Jefferson  Street  and  the  viaduct  bridge  approach  to  the  Cum- 
berland Biver ; thence  southward  with  the  Ctimberland  Biver  to  the 
beginning  point  at  intersection  of  Wharf  Avenue  with  the  Cumber- 
land Biver. 

Idem. 

244.  Beginning  at  a point  two  hundred  feet  north  of  an  extended 
line  of  Main  Street  where  it  intersects  with  the  Cumberland  Biver ; 
thence  extending  eastwardly  along  said  line  and  parallel  with  Main 
Street  and  the-North  side  thereof  to  the  Gallatin  Bead;  thence  north- 
wardly two  hundred  feet  west  of  said  Gallatin  Boad  to  Eastland 
Avenue  ; thence  eastward  two  hundred  feet  north  of  Eastland  Ave- 
nue to  Sixteenth  Street ; thence  two  hundred  feet  southwardly  east 
of  Sixteenth  Street  to  Woodland  Street;  thence  westward  along  the 
center  of  Woodland  Street  to  Thirteenth  Street;  thence  southwardly 
along  the  center  of  Thirteenth  Street  to  Eatherland  Street;  thence 
westward  along  the  center  of  Eatherland  Street  to  Tenth  Street; 
thence  southward  along  the  center  of  Tenth  Street  to  the  center  of 
Dews  Street ; thence  with  the  center  of  Dews  Street  and  an  extended 
line  of  same  to  the  center  of  Fifth  Street  ; thence  northward  with 
the  center  of  Fifth  Street  to  the  center  of  Shelby  Avenue ; thence  with 
the  center  of  Shelby  Avenue  and  the  Sparkman  Street  bridge  viaduct 
to  the  Cumberland  Biver ; thence  northward  with  the  eastern  rtiargin  of 
the  Cumberland  Biver  to  the  beginning  point ; ' provided , however, 
that  where  there  is  an  alley  back  of  the  street  line,  these  boundaries  of 
the  fire  district  on  the  east  side  of  the  Cumberland  Biver  are  intended 
to  extend  to  the  alley,  except  where  the  center  of  the  street  is  made 
the  line.  And  for  the  west  side  of  the  Cumberland  Biver  the  outside 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS  5 

boundaries  of  the  fire  district  shall  be  the  center  of*  the  streets1  named 
as  provided  in  Sections  243  and  246. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  829.  Approved  Sept.  19,  1916. 

245.  These  lines  constitute  the  limits  of  the  fire  district  and 
shall  be  known  as  the  outside  boundary  of  the  Second  Zone  of  said  fire 
district.  The  remaining  territory  outside  of  the.  fire  district  and  in- 
cluded in  the  corporate  limits  shall  be1  known  as  the  Third  Zone*- 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 

246.  Boundary  of  First  Zone.- — -The  following  lines  shall  con- 
stitute the  boundary  of  the  First  Zone  of  the  fire  district,  and  shall 
be  as  follows  : Beginning  at  the  intersection  of  a direct  line  of  Mul- 
loy Street  with  Cumberland  River ; thence  westward  on  said  line  and 
Mulloy  Street  to  Second  Avenue,  South ; thence  southward  on  Second 
Avenue,  South,  to  Peabody  Street ; thence  west  on  Peabody  Street 
to  Lea  Avenue  ; thence  westward  on  Lea  Avenue  to  Tenth  Avenue, 
South;  thence  northward  on  Tenth  Avenue,  South,  to  an  extended 
line  of  McGavock  Street  ; thence  westward  with  said  extended  line 
and  McGavock  Street  to  Sixteenth  Avenue,  South ; thence  northward 
with  Sixteenth  Avenue,  North,  to  Hayes  Street ; thence  eastward  with 
Hayes  Street  to  Fifteenth  Avenue,  North;  thence  southward  with 
Fifteenth  Avenue,  North,  to  Grundy  Street;  thence  eastward  with 
Grundy  Street  and  an  extended  line  of  same  to  Tenth  Avenue,  North ; 
thence  northward  on  Tenth  Avenue,  North,  to  Cedar  Street;  thence 
eastward  on  Cedar  Street  to  Ninth  Avenue,  North ; thence  northward 
on  Ninth  Avenue,  North,  to  Jo  Johnston  Avenue  ; thence  eastward 
on  Jo  Johnston  Avenue  and  a direct  extended  line  of  same  to  the 
Cumberland  River;  thence  southward  with  the  western  margin  of 
the  Cumberland  River  to  the  beginning  at  the  intersection  of  Mulloy 
Street  with  said  Cumberland  River. 

Idem.  / 

Fire  Retarding  Zone. 

247.  Within  the  limits  of  the  First  Zone  of  the  fire  district  there 
shall  be  a zone  which  shall  be  known  as  the  Fire  Retarding  Zone. 
This  zone  shall  be  bounded  as  follows: 

Beginning  at  the  intersection  of  an  extended  line  of  the  north 
side  of  the  Public  Square,  with  the  Cumberland  River;  thence  west- 
wardly  along  said  line  and  the  north  side  of  the  Public  Square  (cov- 
ering all  property  fronting  on  said  line)  to  Third  Avenue,  North; 
thence  along  Third  Avenue,  North,  southwardly  on  west  side  of  Pub- 
lic Square  (covering  all  property  fronting  on  said  line)  to  Cedar 


6 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Street;  thence  westwardly  on  C&dar  Street  (covering  all  prop- 
erty fronting  on  both  sides  of  said  street)  to  Seventh  Ave- 
nue, North;  thence  southwardly  on  Seventh,  Avenue,  North, 
(covering  all  property  fronting  on  east  side  of  said  Avenue)  to 
Union  Street;  thence  westwardly  on  Union  Street  (covering  all  prop- 
erty fronting  on  both  sides  of  said  street)  to  Eighth  Avenue,  North ; 
thence  southwardly  on  Eighth  Avenue,  North,  (covering  all  property 
fipnting  on  the  eastern  side  of  said  Avenue)  to  Church  Street;  thence 
westwardly  on  Church  Street  (covering  all  property  fronting  on  both 
sides  of  said  street)  to  Ninth  Avenue,  North;  thence  southwardly 
on  Niinth  Avenue,  North,  (covering  all  property  on  east  side  of  Ninth 
Avenue,  North,  to  Payne  Street)  and  continuing  southwardly  on 
Ninth  Avenue,  North,  covering  all  property  fronting  on  both  sides 
of  the  street  to  Broadway,  and  all  property  fronting  on  both  sides  of 
Broadway  from  the  Nashville  Terminal  Company’s  east  lines  to  Cum- 
berland Biver;  thence  northwardly  along  the  western  bank  of  the 
Cumberland  River  to  the  beginning  point,  and  all  property  embraced 
within  the  above  described  boundary  lines. 

Idem. 

248.  Factory  Zone. — The  following  lines  shall  constitute  the 
factory  zone: 

(1)  Beginning  at  the  corporate  line  at  junction  of  Hancock 
Street  and  the  Cumberland  River;  thence  eastward  on  Hancock 
Street  to  Orleans  Street ; thence  south  on  Orleans  and  Cowan  Streets 
to  Spring  Street  ; thence  east  on  Spring  Street  to  within  250  feet  of 
the  main  track  of  the  L.  & N.  R.  R. ; thence  north  on  a parallel  line 
(maintaining  250  feet  distance  to  westward)  with  main  track  of 
L.  & N.  R.  R.  to  Mile  End  Avenue ; thence  east  on  Mile  End  Avenue 
to  L.  & N.  R.  R. ; thence  with  L.  & N.  R.  R.  and  the  Corporate  line 
to  Cleveland  Street;  thence  east  on  Cleveland  Street  to  a point  250 
feet  distant  from  L.  & N.  R.  R. ; thence  southward  on  a parallel  line 
(maintaining  250  feet  distance  to  eastward)  with  main  track  of  L.  & 
N.  R.  R.  to  Seventh  Street,  North;  thence  southward  on  Seventh 
Street,  North,  to  Webster  Street;  thence  westward  on  Webster  Street 
and  Howerton  Street  to  Second  Street,  North;  thence  southward  on 
Second  Street,  North,  and  Second  Street,  South,  to  Crutcher  Street; 
thence  eastward  on  Crutcher  Street  and  Greenwood  Street  to  Seventh 
Street;  thence  south  on  Seventh  Street,  South,  and  Tenth  Street, 
South,  to  the  north  margin  of  the  Cumberland  River;  thence  with  the 
north  margin  of  said  river  to  the  beginning  point  on  Hancock  Street. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


7 


(2)  .Beginning  at  the  Corporate  line  at  Junction  of  Van  Buren 
Street  and  the  Cumberland  River;  thence  westward  on  Van  Buren 
Street  to  First  Avenue,  North;  thence  southward  on  First  Avenue, 
North,  to  Monroe  Street;  thence  westward  on  Monroe  Street  to  Sec- 
ond Avenue,  North;  thence  southward  on  Second  Avenue,  North,  to 
Jackson  Street;  thence  westward  on  Jackson  Street  to  Eighth  Ave- 
nue, North ; thence  southward  with  Eighth  Avenue,  North,  to  within 
300  feet  of  the  T.  C.  R.  R. ; thence  westward  and  northward  off  ja 
parallel  line  (maintaining  300  feet  distance  to  northward  and  east- 
ward) with  T.  C.  R.  R.  track  and  following  the  curve  thereof  to  the 
Corporate  line  at  the  corner  of  Twenty-first  Avenue,  North,  and 
Jefferson  Street;  thence  westward  on  Jefferson  Street  to  Twenty-third 
Avenue,  North;  thence  southward  on  Twenty-third  Avenue,  North, 
to  junction  of  Booker  Street  ; thence  southward,  westward  and  north- 
ward paralleling  the  lines  of  the  T.  C.  R.  R.  and  N.,  C.  & St.  L.  Ry. 
(maintaining  300  feet  distance  therefrom)  to  a point  on  Centennial 
Avenue  (in  the  former  town  of  West  Nashville)  ; thence  westward 
on  Centennial  Avenue  to  a point  300  feet  to  west  of  the  N.,  C.  & 
St.  L.  Ry.  track;  thence  parallel  with  said  N.,  C.  & St.  L.  Ry. 
track  (maintaining  300  feet  distance  therefrom)  and  the  meand- 
erings  thereof  to  Forty-second  Avenue,  North ; thence  south- 
ward on  Forty-second  Avenue,  North,  to  Minnesota  Avenue;  thence 
eastward  on  Minnesota  Avenue  to  a point  300  feet  beyond  the  track 
of  the  N.,  C.  & St.  L.  Ry. ; thence  northward  and  parallel  with  the 
N.,  C.  & St.  L.  Ry.  (maintaining  300  feet  distance  therefrom)  to  a 
point  intersecting  with  Jo  Johnston  Avenue  ; thence  eastward  on  Jo 
Johnston  Avenue  to  Twelfth  Avenue,  North;  thence  southward  on 
Twelfth  Avenue,  North,  to  Porter  Street;  thence  eastward  on  Porter 
Street  to  track  of  L.  & N.  Terminals ; thence  northward  and  parallel 
with  track  of  L.  & N.  Terminal  Company  to  Cedar  Street;  thence 
eastward  on  Cedar  Street  to  Ninth  Avenue,  North ; thence  northward 
on  Ninth  Avenue,  North,  to  Jo  Johnston  Avenue;  thence  eastward 
on  Jo  Johnston  Avenue  and  Locust  Street  to  the  Cumberland  River; 
thence  northward  with  the  western  margin  of  said  river  to,*  the  begiif- 
ning  point  at  Van  Buren  Street. 

(3)  Beginning  at  the  Corporate  line  at  Junction  of  Fairfield 
Avenue  (extended)  and  the  Cumberland  River;  thence  southward  on 
Fairfield  Avenue  to  and  with  the  Corporate  line  and  tracks  of  T.  C. 
R.  R. ; thence  eastward  with  Corporate  line  to  Stanley  Street ; thence 
southward  with  Stanley  Street  and  the  Corporate  line  to  Fillmore 
Street;  thence  eastward  on  Fillmore  Street  to  Meridith  Street;  thence 


8 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


southwestward  on  Meridith  Street  to  Donelson  Street;  thence  south- 
ward on  Donelson  Street  to  Morton  Street  if  projected  to  the  Cor- 
porate line;  thence  with  said  projected  line  and  Morton  Street  to  and 
enclosing  the  State  Fair  Grounds  on  all  sides  and  to  Raines  Avenue; 
thence  north  on  Raines  Avenue  to  Fourth  Avenue,  South,  and  Humph- 
rey Street ; thence  westward  on  Humphrey  Street  to  Montee  Street ; 
thence  southward  on  Montee  Street  to  Merritt  Street;  thence  west 
or  1 Merritt  Street  to  the  line  of  the  L.  & FT.  R.  R. ; thence  south- 
ward with  the  L.  & FT.  R.  R.  to  Bradford  Avenue;  thence  westward 
on  Bradford  Avenue  to  Wilson  Avenue;  thence  northward  on  Wilson 
Avenue  to  Wedgewood  Avenue  and  parallel  with  the  L.  & H.  R.  R. 
track  (maintaining  300  feet  distance  to  westward)  northward  and 
northwestward  to  Eighth  Avenue,  South,  and  Division  Street ; thence 
westward  on  Division  Street  to  Twelfth  Avenue,  South ; thence  north- 
ward on  Twelfth  Avenue,  South,  to  Gleaves  Street  and  the  L.  & FT. 
Terminals;  thence  on  said  Gleaves  Street  to  Eighth  Avenue,  South; 
thence  north  on  Eighth  Avenue,  South,  to  a point  250  feet  from  north 
line  of  FT.,  C.  & St.  L.  Ry.  track  (maintaining  250  feet  distance  east- 
ward) to  the  north  boundary  of  the  Hashville  Warehouse  and  Elevator 
property  at  City  Cemetery;  thence  with  said  property  line  between 
said  cemetery  and  warehouse  property. to  Fourth  Avenue,  South, 
thence  southward  with  Fourth  Avenue,  South,  to  Chestnut  Street; 
thence  eastward  with  Chestnut  Street  to  Third  Avenue,  South ; thence 
southward  with  Third  Avenue,  South,  and  Ensley  Boulevard  and 
Factory  Street  to  East  Hill  Street;  thence  north  on  East  Hill  Street 
and  Fairfield  Avenue  (if  extended)  to  Robertson  Street;  thence 
northastward  and  parallel  with  the  T.  C.  R.  R.  track  (maintaining 
250  feet  distance  to  westward)  to  Fillmore  Street;  thence  westward 
on  Fillmore  Street  to  Decatur  Street;  thence  northward  on  Decatur 
Street  to  Willow  Street ; thence  westward  on  Willow  Street  to  "Wharf 
Avenue ; thence  northward  with  Wharf  Avenue  to  within  200  feet 
of  main  line  of  T.  C.  R.  R.  on  south  side;  thence  on  said  200  feet 
parallel  line  to  and  including  the  boundary  lines  of  the  old  Breen 
Rock  Quafry  and  northward  across  main  line  of  T.  C.  R.  R.  to  Cum- 
berland River;  thence  eastward  with  south  boundary  of  said  river 
to  the  beginning  point  at  junction  of  Fairfield  Avenue,  extended. 

(4)  Within  the  track  or  yard  areas  of  the  Railroad  Terminal 
Companies  and  the  L.  & FT.  R.  R.,  F\,  C.  & St.  L.  Ry.  and  the  T.  C. 
R.  R.,  there  may  be  erected  such  switch  houses,  look-outs,  etc.,  as  are 
commonly  erected  and  used  by  and  for  such  companies.  Ho  one  of 
said  structures  shall  cover  an  area  of  exceeding  400  square  feet  or 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


9 


be  more  than  25  feet  high,  and  shall  not  be  be  nearer  than  30  feet 
of  any  other  building  or  structure. 

(5)  Such  switch-houses,  look-outs,  etc.,  shall  be  erected  in  com- 
pliance with  requirements  of  metal-clad  construction. 

Idem. 

249.  The  Office  of  Supervisor  of  Buildings.  /"Tv 

(1)  The  office  of  the  Supervisor  of  Buildings  is  hereby  crLAjl. 
His  salary  shall  be  $1,800  per  annum,  payable  as  provided  by  ordi- 
nance. He  shall  give  bond  in  the  sum  of  two  thousand  ($2,000.00) 
dollars,  with  surety  thereof,  signed  by  an  indemnity  insurance  com- 
pany authorized  to  transact  business  in  the  State  of  Tennessee,  con-' 
ditioned  that  said  officer  will  faithfully  discharge  the  duties  that  are 
now  or  may  hereafter  be  imposed  upon  him,  and  all  liability  that  may 
accrue  by  reason  of  his  office.  Said  bond  shall  be  approved  by  the 
Board  of  Commissioners  as  provided  by  Charter. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  916.  Approved  Feb.  13,  1917. 

(2)  The  office  of  Assistant  Supervisor  of  Buildings  is  hereby 
created.  His  salary  shall  be  $1,500.00  per  annum,  payable  as  pro- 
vided by  ordinance.  He  shall  give  bond  in  the  sum  of  two  thousand 
($2,000.00)  dollars,  with  surety  thereof,  signed  by  an  indemnity 
insurance  company  authorized  to  transact  business  in  the  State  of 
Tennessee,  conditioned  that  said  officer  will  faithfully  discharge  the 
duties  that  are  now  or  may  hereafter  be  imposed  upon  him,  and  all 
liability  that  may  accrue  by  reason  of  his  office.  Said  bond  shall  be 
approved  by  'the  Board  of  Commissioners  as  provided  by  Charter. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  916.  Approved  Feb.  13,  1917. 

(3)  The  Supervisor  of  Buildings  and  Assistant  Supervisor  of 
Buildings  shall  be  elected  by  the  Board  of  Commissioners  and  nomi- 
nated by  the  Commissioner  of  Fire,  Sprinkling  and  Building  Inspec- 
tion, and  are  under  his  supervision  and  control. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  788.  Approved  July  13,  1916. 

(4)  The  Supervisor  of  Buildings  shall  issue  or  cause  to  be  issued 
all  permits  and  notices,  keeping  a record  of  all  such  proceedings,  and 
shall  pass  on  all  questions  arising  under  this  Code,  and  the  laws  and 
ordinances  in  force  in  the  city  relating  to  the  same  subject-matter,  and 
in  case  of  dissatisfaction  because  of  his  decision  (except  in  respect 
to  insecure  and  unsafe  buildings  and  property  requiring  immediate 
action)  the  question  in  dispute  may  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Ap- 
peal and  a decision  of  a majority  of  the  said  Board  shall  determine 
the  issue. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 


10 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


(5)  The  Supervisor  of  Buildings  shall  have  the  authority  to  enter 
and  inspect  any  building,  structure  or  sign  or  part  thereof  in  the  City 
of  Nashville,  to  condemn  the  same  and  order  it,  (when  condemned), 
demolished,  torn  down  or  removed  or  placed  in  a safe  condition. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  908.  Approved  Jan.  30,  1917. 

/^o.  Bocurd  of  Appeals. 

t j (*.)  For  that  purpose  there  is  hereby  created  a Board,  to  be  known 
a/s  the  Board  of  Appeals  of  the  Department  of  Building,  to  consist 
C>f  three  members ; one  an  architect,  one  a structural  engineer  and  one 
/a  builder. 

(2)  Each  to  be  appointed  by  the  Commissioner  of  Fire,  Sprink- 
ling and  Building  Inspection,  with  the  approval  of  the  Board  of  Com- 
missioners. 

(3)  The  members  thereof  are  to  be  subject  to  removal  by  the 
Commissioner  of  Fire,  Sprinkling  and  Building  Inspection  at  any 
time,  and  unless  removed  shall  serve  during  the  term  of  the  Commis- 
sioner appointing  them  and  until  their  successors  are  appointed  and 
qualified. 

(4)  The  party  taking  the  appeal  shall  have  the  right  to  challenge 
for  sufficient  cause  any  member  of  the  Board,  and  if  the  Commis- 
sioner shall  so  determine  he  may  appoint  any  other  architect,  struc- 
tural engineer  or  builder  to  replace  the  one  so  challenged  (for  suffi- 
cient cause)  for  the  case  in  question  only. 

(5)  Each  member  shall  take  an  oath  to  faithfully  perform  his 
duties  under  and  in  compliance  with  this  ordinance  and  all  laws 
and  ordinances  of  the  City  of  Nashville  applicable  hereto. 

(6)  The  Board  shall  have  such  use  of  the  office  of  the  Building 
Inspection  Department  and  service  of  inspectors,  clerks  and  stenog- 
raphers as  may  be  required. 

(7)  Each  member  of  the  Board  shall  serve  without  stated  com- 
pensation but  shall  be  paid  such  fees  as  may  be  allowed  by  the  Com- 
missioner, and  all  necessary  expenses,  all  of  said  amounts  to  be  paid 
by  the  party  appealing  a question  to  them ; provided , said  question 
be  decided  against  the  party  taking  the  appeal ; but  if  said  question 
be  decided  in  favor  of  the  party  taking  the  appeal,  all  said  amounts 
shall  be  paid  by  the  city. 

(8)  Any  party  so  appealing  to  the  said  Board  shall  at  the  time 
deposit  with  the  city  a sufficient  sum  to  cover  all  such  allowances  and 
expenses,  said  sum  to  be  refunded  if  said  question  be  decided  in  favor 
of  the  party  taking  the  appeal. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


11 


251.  Tenants  to  be  Notified. 

1.  Whenever  a building  or  structure  has  been  condemned,  or- 
dered tom  down,  or  repaired,  by  the  Supervisor,  he  shall  notify 
the  tenant  or  tenants  of  such  condemnation  in  writing,  and  warn- 
ing the  said  tenant  or  tenants  to  vacate  within  a specified  time,  if 
necessary,  or  do  and  perform  such  other  acts  or  works  as  may  be 
necessary  to  fulfill  the  orders  set  out  in  the  condemnation  notice. 

2.  And  should  said  tenant  or  tenants  fail  or  refuse  to  promptly 
comply  with  such  notices  and  orders  they  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a 
misdemeanor. 

Idem. 

252.  Danger  Cards. — Whenever  the  Supervisor  has  knowledge 
of  any  unsafe  building,  structure,  or  part  thereof,  the  conditions  being 
such  as  to  endanger  the  public  or  the  occupants  thereof,  it  shall  be 
his  duty  to  affix  suitable  notices  in  a conspicuous  place  on  the  exterior 
thereof ; and  any  person  removing  such  notices  shall  be  deemed  guilty 
of  a misdemeanor. 

Idem. 

253.  Preliminary  Requirements  for  Permits. 

1.  No  building  or  structure,  platform  or  staging,  sign,  sign  bul- 
letin, signboard,  billboard,  awning,  fire  escape,  marquise,  or  other 
structure  shall  be  erected,  unless  it  be  in  conformity  to  the  provisions 
of  this  ordinance. 

2.  No  building,  structure  or  other  item  as  herein  stated  (already 
erected)  shall  be  raised,  altered,  repaired,  moved  or  built  upon  in 
any  manner  that  would  be  in  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of 
this  ordinance. 

Idem. 

254.  1.  Any  person  or  persons  desirious  of  erecting,  repairing, 
altering,  or  changing,  in  any  way,  any  building  or  structure,  fire  es- 
cape, window  or  door,  stairway,  or  other  means  of  ingrees  or  egress, 
awning,  sign,  billboard,  or  other  structure  within  the  limits  of  the 
City  of  Nashville,  shall  first  apply  at  the  office  of  the  Building  In- 
spection Department  for  a permit  to  do  the  work  desired,  and  shall 

* make  such  written  statements,  and  file  such  data,  plans  and  specifica- 
tions as  are  required  by  said  department  for  the  purpose  of  a clear 
understanding  by  said  department  that  said  works  are,  and  are  con- 
templated to  comply  with  the  ordinances  relative  thereto.  Provided 
that  it  shall  be  obligatory  to  file  plans  and  specifications  with  the 


12 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Building  Inspection  Department  for  all  structures  of  a valu6  ex- 
ceeding $1,500.00,  and  the  data  of  Kidder’s  Manual  shall  be  used  by 
the  Supervisor  in  estimating  values  of  such  works  when  considered 
necessary.  (Note. — See  Sec.  38  Jf..)  The  plans  and  specifications 
required  to  be  filed  with  the  Supervisor  shall  he  accompanied  by  a 
written  certificate  of  the  architect  or  engineer  certifying  that  the  gen- 
eral arrangement  of  the  entire  construction  in  all  important  details, 
including  the  size,  length,  the  qualities,  proportions,  and  the  dead  and 
live  loads  each  floor  is  designed  to  carry  are  in  conformity  with  the 
provisions  of  this  Code.  All  such  plans  and  specifications  shall  be 
signed  by  the  architect,  engineer,  contractor  or  person  applying  for  the 
permit.  In  no  case  shall  the  construction  deviate  from  the  approved 
plans  and  specifications  except  by  written  consent  of  the  Supervisor. 

2.  And  said  department,  after  receiving  all  such  statements,  data, 
plans  and  specifications  (copy  of  which  shall  he  retained  until  com- 
pletion of  said  buildings  or  works)  shall  take  such  time  as  is  nec- 
essary to  examine  same,  and  if  found  that  the  said  works  are,  and 
are  contemplated  to  comply  with  the  ordinances  relative  thereto  may 
issue  a permit  therefor  on  a uniform  blank  as  adopted  and  used  by 
said  department. 

3.  All  permits  shall  be  kept  on  or  at  the  structure  or  works  so 
that  they  may  he  inspected  by  the  proper  officers  of  the  city,  and 
such  permits  shall  he  null  and  void  if  actual  work  is  not  begun  on  the 
premises  within  30  days  from  date  of  issuance. 

Idem. 

255.  1.  The  Inspection  Department  shall  approve  or  disapprove 
statements,  plans  and  specifications,  and  condemn  structures  and 
works  upon  the  conditions  and  demands  of  these  ordinances  alone. 

2.  If  the  Inspection  Department  find  that  the  structure  or  works 
are  being  erected  or  done  in  violation  of  these  ordinances,  the  permit 
shall  be  revoked,  and  all  works  shall  be  immediately  stopped,  and  a 
notice  of  this  action  shall  he  posted  on  the  works,  and  the  owner,  agent 
or  contractor  shall  he  notified  in  writing  that  the  structure  or  works 
is,  or  is  being  constructed  in  violation  of  these  ordinances. 

3.  And  if  the  said  person  or  persons  shall  fail  or  refuse  to  com- 
ply with  said  orders  and  make  the  necessary  corrections,  then  there 
shall  be  no  more  work  done  on  the  said  building,  structure,  or  prem- 
ises, by  any  person  or  workman  whatsoever;  and, 

4.  The  violation  of  said  posted  notice  shall  be  a misdemeanor. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


13 


PART  III. 


Building  Inspection. 

256.  1.  The  Building  Inspection  Department  shall  not  issue 

a permit  for  any  works,  changes  or  repairs  on  any  building,  sign, 
works  or  structure  whatsoever,  if  said  building,  sign,  works  or  struc- 
ture is  of  unlawful  construction,  provided  that  a permit  may  be  issued 
to  put  any  building,  works  or  structure  in  a lawful  condition. 

2.  Repairs  of  lawful  buildings  or  structures  (except  stairways, 
elevators,  fire  escapes,  doors,  windows,  and  other  means  of  ingress  or 
egress)  the  value  of  which  will  not  exceed  $25.00  may  be  made  with- 
out cost  for  a permit,  provided,  that  this  shall  not  be  construed  as 
permission  to  erect  any  new  structure  or  works  whatsoever,  nor  to 
proceed  with  such  repairs  without  a permit,  and  further  provided, 
that  every  permit  shall  be  null  and  void  and  canceled  if  active  work 
is  not  begun  within  thirty  days  from  the  date  of  issuance,  and  further 
provided,  that  such  time  may  be  extended  by  the  Supervisor  at  his 
discretion,  and  further  provided  that  it  shall  be  unlawful  to  proceed 
with  any  works  where  such  permits  are  necessary  without  having 
said  permit  on  the  premises  and  kept  on  the  premises  all  the  time 
during  the  progress  of  said  works. 

3.  Fees  for  permits  of  buildings  and  structures  as  herein  pro- 


vided for  shall  be  as  follows: 

Value  of  $ 25.00  to  and  including  $ 50.00 $ .50 

Value  of  50.00  to  and  including  100.00 1.00 

Value  of  100.00  to  and  including  500.00 1.50 

Value  of  500.00  to  and  including  1,000.00 2.00 

Value  of  1,000.00  to  and  including  2,000.00 3.00 

Value  of  2,000.00  to  and  including  5,000.00 4.00 

Value  of  5,000.00  to  and  including  8,000.00 6.00 

Value  of  8,000.00  to  and  including  10,000.00 8.00 

Value  of  10,000.00  to  and  including  11,000.00 10.00 

Value  of  11,000.00  to  and  including  12,000.00 11.00 

Value  of  12,000.00  to  and  including  13,000.00 12.00 

Value  of  13,000.00  to  and  including  14,000.00 14.00 

Value  of  14,000.00  to  and  including  15,000.00 15.00 

Value  of  15,000.00  to  and  including  17,000.00 18.00 

Value  of  17,000.00  to  and  including  20,000.00 20.00 


For  all  over  the  $20,000.00  in  value  the  additional  sum  of  twenty 
cents  per  one  thousand  of  fractional  part  thereof. 


14 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Fees  for  Signs  Shall  be  as  Follows: 


For  strip  cloth  sign,  each $ .25 

For  sign  containing  20  square  feet  or  less .25 

For  sign  containing  20  to  40  square  feet .50 

For  sign  containing  40  to  70  square  feet 1.00 


And  the  additional  sum  of  twenty-five  cents  for  each  additional 
ten  square  feet,  or  fraction  thereof. 

ISTo  fee  for  small  signs  under  a value  of  $2.50  (strip  cloth  signs 
excepted. ) 

Fees  for  Billboards  and  Sion  Bulletins. 


Fees  for  billboards  or  bulletin  100  square  feet  or  less $ .50 

Fqes  for  billboards  or  bulletin  100  to  200  square  feet .75 

Fees  for  billboards  or  bulletin  200  to  300  square  feet 1.00 

Fees  for  billboards  or  bulletin  300  to  400  square  feet 1.50 


And  the  additional  sum  of  twenty-five  cents  for  each  additional 
100  square  feet  or  fraction  thereof. 


Fees  for  Awnings. 

For  each  awning  erected  on  a business  front,  side,  or  rear  on 

first  story  which  is  20  feet  wide  or  under,  each $ .25 

For  such  awnings  as  above  over  20  feet  in  width,  each .50 

For  each  window  awning  above  first  story  as  above,  each.  ...  .10 


Repairs  on  awnings  to  the  value  of  $1.50  may  be  made  without 
permit. 

Lawful  awnings  may  be  erected  on  private  residences  located 
inside  of  property  line  and  not  overhanging  public  thoroughfares 
without  permit  or  fee  for  same,  and  provided  that  permit  is  not 
necessary  for  the  removal  or  rehanging  of  old  awnings  where  they 


are  removed  and  stored  for  the  winter. 

Fees  for  fire  escapes,  each $2.00 

Fees  for  Marquise,  each 3.00 

Fees  for  operators  of  picture  machines  (new  license) 2.00 

Fees  for  operators  of  picture  machines  (renewal  license)  ....  1.00 

Fees  for  house  moving,  each 5.00 


Provided  that  a house  being  moved  within  private  propertly  lines, 
and  does  not  extend  to,  or  beyond  said  property  line,  may  be  made 
under  a valuation  fee  charged  under  the  schedule  herein  provided  for 
buildings  and  structures,  and  further  provided,  that  small  structures 
of  not  over  200  square  feet  of  floor  space  may  be  moved  from  one 
point  to  another  as  herein  provided,  same  is  to  be  moved  promptly 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


15 


and  continuously  on  the  same  day  without  obstructing  the  public 
thoroughfare  for  more  than  10  hours,  and  which  may  be  executed 
without  bond  therefor. 

Idem. 

257.  Storage  or  Piling  of  Materials. 

1.  In  no  case  shall  the  storage  of  materials  or  using  of  space  on 
street,  alley  or  sidewalk  be  allowed  or  done  in  such  manner  as  would 
in  any  way  interfere  with  the  passage  of  vehicles  between  moving 

v street  cars  and  curb  and  the  material  or  space  to  be  used  on  at  least 
one  side  of  the  street ; and, 

2.  Permits  for  same  must  be  obtained  from  the  Supervisor  of 
Buildings  at  his  discretion. 

3.  And  when  any  excavation  of  pavement  or  any  other  area  used 
by  the  public  is  being  excavated,  built  under,  or  adjacent  to  any  new 
or  old  building  or  any  structural  improvement  connected  therewith, 
said  Building  Inspection  Department  may  issue  a permit  therefor, 
which  shall  not  be  valid  until  approved  by  the  Commissioner  of  Streets, 
Sewers  and  Sidewalks. 

4.  The  Supervisor  of  Buildings  shall  designate  such  space  as  his 
judgment  may  deem  best  for  piling  of  material  and  order  such  fences, 
barricades,  shelters  and  scaffolds  as  are  necessary  for  the  use  of  con- 
tractors in  constructing  buildings  and  works,  all  of  which  may  remain 
a reasonable  time,  as  determined  by  the  Supervisor,  for  the  storage 
of  building  material. 

5.  Provided , such  fences,  barricades,  etc.,  shall  not  interfere  with 
the  public  traffic  and  travel  and  no  debris,  or  materials  not  to  be  used 
in  the  new  structure  or  works  shall  be  piled,  stored,  or  allowed  to  re- 
main upon  the  streets,  sidewalks,  or  alleys,  but  shall  be  removed  at 
once. 

6.  And  any  person  or  persons  having  the  use  of  any  portion  of  the 
street  or  sidewalks  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  or  repairing  any  build- 
ing (or  for  any  other  purpose)  shall  cause  red  lights  in  such  numbers 
as  may  be  necessary  (spaced  not  over  fifty  feet  apart)  to  be  placed 
in  a conspicuous  place  in  front  and  along  such  construction  and  works 
and  kept  burning  from  sunset  until  sunrise  each  and  every  night  the 
entire  time  of  occupation. 

Idem. 

7.  During  the  time  of  such  occupation  of  the  street  or  sidewalk 
for  such  building  operation  the  person  or  persons  so  occupying  the 
same,  whether  with  material  or  otherwise,  shall  enter  into  a good 
and  sufficient  bond  to  maintain  and  keep  in  repair  any  temporary 


16 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


sidewalks,  fences,  sheds  or  other  obstruction  on  the  street  or  side- 
walk or  over  the  same,  and  shall  hold  the  City  harmless  from  any 
damages  that  may  be  sustained  by  any  person  by  reason  thereof. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  891.  Approved  Jan.  3,  1917. 
Idem. 


PART  IV. 


258.  Passage  Around  Building  or  Material. 

1.  The  Supervior  may  grant  limited  permission  in  writing  to  en- 
close a part  or  all  of  the  sidewalk  in  front  of  any  building  or  struc- 
ture being  erected  or  remodeled  with  a substantial  close  hoard  fence 
six:  feet  high,  provided  that  a heavy  hoard  walk  four  feet  wide  is  main- 
tained around  the  same. 

2.  Or  an  approved  shed  of  heavy  materials  and  joist  for  floor, 
which  shall  be  at  least  nine  feet  high  and  cover  entire  sidewalk  or 
passageway. 

3.  No  building  materials,  tools,  machinery  or  appliances  shall  he 
permitted  to  remain  on  the  streets  or  thoroughfares  in  a manner  to 
interfere  with  convenient  traffic,  and  during  the  time  of  occupation 
of  the  streets  or  thoroughfares  for  any  building  operations  whatso- 
ever, the  person,  firm  or  corporation  occupying  any  portion  of  said 
streets  or  thoroughfares  shall  maintain  and  keep  in  thorough  repair 
such  temporary  sidewalks,  fences,  sheds,  scaffolds,  enclosures  or  cov- 
erings as  have  been  permitted  by  the  Supervisor  to  be  erected  by  such 
person,  firm  or  corporation  for  the  protection  of  the  public. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 

259.  The  Supervisor  may  at  any  time  he  considers  it  necessary, 
for  safety  or  convenience,  order  such  changes  in,  or  the  removal  of  all 
such  scaffolds,  walks,  fences,  sheds,  enclosures,  etc.  (as  are  herein 
provided  for)  to  be  taken  down  and  removed,  and  the  thoroughfares 
and  sidewalks  cleaned  up  and  opened  to  the  public  within  twenty- 
four  hours  after  date  of  written  notice  to  the  said  person,  firm  or  cor- 
poration herein  stated. 

Idem. 

260.  Bond  for  Wrecking  or  Removal  of  Buildings. 

1.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  anyone  to  wreck  any  building  or 
structure  within  the  City  of  Nashville  or  to  erect  any  temporary 
sidewalks,  fences,  sheds  or  enclosures  or  scaffolds  (as  herein  noted) 
over  a public  thoroughfare  without  first  obtaining  the  approval  of, 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


17 


and  a permit  from  the  Supervisor  of  Buildings  therefor,  and  executing 
such  good  and  sufficient  bond  (as  may  be  required  and  approved  by 
the  Commissioner),  indemnifying  the  City  of  Nashville  against  all 
loss,  damage  or  expense  which  might  accrue  because  of  the  wrecking 
or  removal  of  such  building,  structure  or  works,  or  for  the  proper 
maintenance  of,  and  responsibility  for  such  temporary  sidewalks, 
fences,  scaffolds  and  enclosures  as  are  herein  provided  for.  Provided , 
that  any  building  or  structure  such  as  small  cottages,  outhouses  or 
similar  structure  may  be  wrecked,  or  moved  and  reset,  on  the  same 
lot  without  the  execution  of  a bond  therefor,  and  further  'provided 
that  above  proviso  shall  not  apply  to  buildings  being  wrecked  or  re- 
moved when  abutting  on  the  property  line. 

Idem. 

261.  House  Movmg. 

1.  Any  person  desiring  to  move  a building  to  a new  location 
within  the  city  limits  shall  file  a written  application  with  the  Su- 
pervisor therefor,  setting  forth  the  kind  of  building  to  be  moved, 
its  original  cost  and  present  value,  its  dimensions  in  extreme  length 
and  height  and  width,  and  present  location,  the  route  to  be  taken, 
and  the  particular  lot  or  site  to  which  it  is  proposed  to  be  moved. 

The  Supervisor  shall  thereupon  examine  and  take  into  considera- 
tion the  present  value  of  such  building,  and  whether  the  proposed 
removal  can  be  made  without  serious  injury  to  person  or  property. 

And  if  the  works  are  feasible  he  may  issue  a permit  therefor, 
which  shall  become  valid  when  the  proper  bond  has  been  filed  with 
the  Commissioner  and  approved  by  him. 

The  permit  shall  state  the  streets  or  alleys  along  which  the  re- 
moval shall  be  made. 

Provided  that  no  building  shall  be  moved  from  'the  Third  Zone 
into  the  Second  Zone,  or  from  the  Second  Zone  into  the  First  Zone, 
unless  such  buildings  comply  with  the  zone  requirements. 

The  owner  or  contractor  shall  cause  written  notice  thereof  to  be 
given  the  Superintendent  of  Fire  Alarm,  Telephone  and  Electric 
Light  Companies  and  others  whose  property  may  be  affected  by  such 
removal. 

Idem. 

262.  Conflict  Between  Special  and  General  Provisions. — When- 
ever any  provision  or  requirement  herein  relating  especially  to  the 
construction,  equipment,  maintenance  or  operation  of  any  building 
or  structure  or  part  of  a building  or  structure  used  for  the  purpose 
of  more  than  one  class  and  there  shall  be  a conflict  with  the  general 


18 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


provisions  herein  relating  to  the  several  classes  of  construction,  equip- 
ment, maintenance  or  operation  of  such  combination  of  buildings  or 
structures  generally,  the  specific  provisions  for  the  better  class  or  risk 
of  building  or  structures  contained  in  such  class  or  group  shall  govern 
each  case,  and  such  building  or  structure  shall  be  constructed,  re- 
modeled or  maintained  accordingly. 

Idem. 

263.  Buildings  Erected  Within  Fire  Betarding  Zone. 

1.  All  new  buildings  erected,  or  old  buildings  remodeled  or  rebuilt 
to  an  extent  of  50  per  cent  of  the  total  value  of  such  building,  within 
the  area  of  the  Fire  Retarding  Zone  up  to  and  including  two  stories  in 
height,  shall  have  fire  retarding  construction  for  floors,  inside  walls, 
etc. 

2.  Such  buildings  more  than  two  stories  and  up  to  and  including 
four  stories,  may  preferably  be  of  fire  proof  construction,  or  shall 
he  of  mill  construction. 

3.  And  all  buildings  more  than  four  stories  in  height  shall  he  of 
fireproof  construction. 

Idem. 

264.  Debris  to  be  Dampened. — Every  contractor  or  other  person 
repairing  or  tearing  down  buildings,  or  in  removing  debris  from  any 
building,  shall  keep  all  such  debris  thoroughly  dampened  with  water 
to  prevent  the  dust  from  rising. 

Idem. 


PART  V. 


Definitions. 

265.  The  following  terms  when  used  in  this  Code  shall  be  con- 
strued to  have  the  meaning  here  given  them. 

Words  used  in  the  present  tense  include  the  future  as  well  as 
the  present  ; the  singular  number  includes  the  plural,  and  the  plural 
the  singular ; the  word  “person”  includes  a corporation  or  co-partner- 
ship as  well  as  an  individual ; “writing”  includes  printing,  printed, 
or  typewritten  matter. 

1.  Apartment  House. — Any  building  which  is  intended  or  de- 
signed for  or  used  as  the  home  or  residence  of  two  or  more  families, 
or  households  living  independently  of  each  other. 

2.  Approved. — The  term  “approved”  refers  to  a device,  material, 
or  construction  which  has  been  approved  by  the  Underwriters’  Labora- 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


19 


tories ; or  such  approval  may  be  granted  by  the  Supervisor  of  Build- 
ings as  a result  of  tests  or  investigation  made  under  his  direction ; or 
he  may  issue  approval  upon  satisfactory  evidence  of  competent  and 
impartial  tests  or  investigations  conducted  by  others. 

3.  Approved  Fire-Resisting  Roofing. — Roofing  which  shall  at 
least  meet  the  requirements  of  the  test  specified. 

4.  Areaway. — An  open  sub-surface  space  adjacent  to  a building 
f^r  lighting  or  ventilating  cellars  or  basements. 

5.  Area  of  a Building. — The  area 'of  the  horizontal  cross-section 
at  the  ground  level  measured  to  the  center  of  party  walls  or  fire 
walls,  and  to  the  outside  of  other  walls. 

6.  Basement. — A story  partly  but  not  more  than  one-half  below 
the  level  of  the  curb. 

7.  Bearing  Wall. — A wall  which  supports  any  load  other  than  its 
own  weight. 

8.  Billboard. — A billboard  is  a certain  class  of  construction  used 
for  posting  of  paper  or  a similar  class  of  advertising  matter  thereon, 
and  is  constructed  of  wooden  posts  and  braces,  and  having  a heavy 
galvanized  sheet  metal  face  secured  to  wooden  frame  strips  and  a 
heavy  wooden  mould  on  face  margins  and  a band  on  edges  each  to  be 
11/2x5  inches. 

9.  Bulkhead  or  Pent  House. — A structure  erected  on  the  roof 
of  a building  for  the  purpose  of  enclosing  stairways  to  the  roof,  ele- 
vator machinery,  water  tanks,  ventilating  apparatus,  exhaust  cham- 
bers or  other  building  equipment  machinery  and  for  janitor’s  quar- 
ters. When  used  only  for  the  above  mentioned  purposes,  such  struc- 
tures need  not  be  considered  in  determining  the  height  of  the  building. 

10.  Cellar. — A story  whose  height  is  more  than  one-half  below 
the  level  of  the  curb.  It  shall  not  be  counted  as  a story  in  determining 
the  height  of  a building. 

11.  Cement  Plaster. — A plaster  composed  of  one  part  Portland 
cement,  not  more  than  three  parts  sand,  and  not  more  than  10  per 
cent,  by  volume  of  hydrated  lime,  with  hair  or  other  binder  when 
necessary. 

12.  Cement-tempered  Plaster. — A lime  or  gypsum  plaster  tem- 
pered with  not  less  than  20  per  cent  of  Portland  cement. 

13.  Commissioner. — The  word  “Commissioner”  as  used  in  this 
ordinance  shall  be  taken  to  mean  the  Commissioner  of  Pire,  Sprink- 
ling and  Building  Inspection. 

14.  A Court  is  an  open,  unoccupied  space,  other  than  a yard,  on 
the  same  lot  with  a building.  A court  not  extending  to  the  street  or 


20 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


yard  is  an  inner  court.  A court  extending  to  the  street  or  yard  is  an 
outer  court.  If  it  extends  to  the  street  it  is  a street  court.  If  it  ex- 
tends to  the  yard  it  is  a yard  court. 

15.  Curb. — Wherever  the  word  “curb”  refers  to  the  height  of  a 
building  or  to  the  definition  of  a basement  or  cellar,  it  shall  be  con- 
strued to  mean  the  curb  level  or  established  grade  at  the  center  of  the 
principal  front  of  the  building  fronting  on  one  street  only;  in  the 
case  of  a building  fronting  on  two  or  more  streets,  the  curb  level  at 
the  center  of  the  front  facing  on  the  highest  curb  shall  be  taken,  un- 
less the  highest  curb  is  more  than  ten  feet  higher  than  the  lowest 
curb,  in  which  case  the  average  level  of  the  two  curbs  shall  be  taken. 
Wherever  the  word  “curb”  refers  to  an  excavation,  the  level  of  the 
curb  shall  be  taken  at  the  intersection  of  the  lot  lines  and  the  curb 
lines.  In  the  case  of  a building  fronting  on  two  or  more  streets, 
the  curb  levels  shall  be  taken  on  each  street  at  the  intersection  of 
the  lot  lines  and  the  curb  lines,  and  their  relation  to  an  adjoining 
building  or  buildings  be  as  though  two  or  more  excavations  were  to 
be  made. 

16.  Curtain  Wall. — Any  exterior  non-bearing  wall  between  col- 
umns or  piers,  which  is  not  supported  by  beams  or  girders  at  each 
story. 

17.  Dead  Load. — The  weight  of  the  walls,  framing,  floors,  roofs, 
tanks,  with  their  contents,  and  all  permanent  construction. 

18.  Department. — The  Department  of  Buildings. 

19.  Division  Wall. — Any  interior  wall  in  a building. 

20.  Dwelling. — A residence  building  designed  for,  or  used  as,  the 
home  or  residence  of  not  more  than  two  separate  and  distinct  families. 

21.  Existing  Building. — A completed  building  or  structure,  or 
one  for  which  plans  have  been  filed  previous  to  the  date  on  which  this 
Code  goes  into  effect. 

2:2.  Exterior  Wall. — Any  outside  wall,  or  vertical  enclosure  of  a 
building,  other  than  a party  wall. 

23.  Factory. — A building  or  portion  thereof,  designed  or  used 
to  manufacture  or  assemble  goods,  wares,  or  merchandise,  the  work 
being  performed  wholly,  or  principally,  by  machinery. 

24.  Fibre  Plaster  Board. — A board  consisting  of  an  intimate  mix- 
ture of  gypsum  plaster  composition  and  a fibrous  binding  material. 

25.  Fire  Door. — A door,  frame,  and  sill  which  will  successfully 
resist  a fire  for  one  hour  in  accordance  with  test  specifications. 

26.  Fire  Exit  Partition. — A sub-dividing  partition  built  for  the 
purpose  of  protecting  life  by  providing  an  area  of  refuge.  See  Sec- 
tion 309. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


21 


27.  Fireproof. — As  used  in  this  Code,  except  as  elsewhere  pre- 
scribed by  test  for  particular  types  of  construction,  refers  to  mate- 
rials or  construction  not  combustible  in  the  temperatures  of  ordinary 
fires,  and  which  will  withstand  such  fires  without  serious  impairment 
of  their  usefulness  for  at  least  one  hour. 

28.  Fire  Shutter. — A shutter  which  will  successfully  resist  a fire 
for  one  hour  in  accordance  with  test,  specifications.  See  Section  439. 

29.  Fire  Wall. — A wall  built  for  the  purpose  of  restricting  the 
area  subject  to  the  spread  of  fire. 

30.  Fire  Window. — A window  frame,  sash,  and  glazing  which 
will  successfully  resist  a fire  for  one  hour  in  accordance  with  test 
specifications  given  in  Section  439,  and  has  been  approved  upon  such 
test.  No  single  pane  in  a fire  window  shall  exceed  720  square  inches. 

31.  Foundation  Wall. — Any  wall  or  pier  built  below  the  curb 
level  or  nearest  tier  of  beams  to  that  level. 

32.  Garage. — A garage  is  that  portion  of  a structure  in  which 
a motor  vehicle  containing  volatile  inflammable  oil  in  its  fuel  storage 
tank  is  stored,  housed  or  kept ; all  that  portion  of  such  structure  that 
is  on,  above,  or  below  the  space  mentioned  in  which  is  not  separated 
therefrom  by  tight,  unpierced  fire  walls  and  fireproof  floors. 

(a)  “Public  garage”  is  defined  as  a building  used,  let  or  rented 
for  the  purpose  of  selling,  storing,  or  housing  or  of  repairing  or  work- 
ing on  such  vehicles  as  described  above. 

(b)  “Private  garage”  is  defined  as  a building  used  by  an  indi- 
vidual, or  by  one  or  more  families  or  persons  for  the  housing  or  stor- 
age on  private  premises  of  not  more  than  three  such  vehicles  as  de- 
scribed above. 

33.  Gypsum  Bloch. — The  term  “gypsum  block”  shall  include  tile 
or  blocks  composed  of  gypsum  and  not  to  exceed  5 per  cent  by  weight 
of  combustible  fibre  binding  material;  or  a mixture  of  crushed  cin- 
ders and1  gypsum,  commonly  called  “Cinder-plaster  blocks.” 

34.  Height  of  a Building. — The  vertical  distance  from  the  curb 
level  to  the  vtop  of  the  highest  point  of  the  roof  beams  in  the  case  of 
flat  roofs,  or  to  the  average  height  of  the  gable  in  the  case  of  roofs 
having  a pitch  of  more  than  20  degrees  with  a horizontal  plane.  When 
a building  faces  two  or  more  streets  having  different  grades,  the  meas- 
urement shall  be  taken  at  the  middle  of  a facade  on  the  street  having 
the  greatest  grade.  When  a building  does  not  adjoin  the  street,  the 
measurement  shall  be  taken  from  the  average  level  of  the  ground  ad- 
joining such  building.  In  measuring  the  height  of  a wall,  the  height 
of  the  parapet  above  the  top  of  the  roof  beams  shall  not  be  included. 
See  Section  346. 


22 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


35.  • Hotel. — Any  building  or  portion  thereof,  designed  or  used 
for  supplying  food  or  shelter  tq  residents  or  guests,  and  containing 
less  than  fifteen  sleeping  rooms  above  the  first  story. 

36.  Illuminated  Signs. — An  illuminated  sign  shall  be  defined  as 
a double  faced  sign  suspended  over  a sidewalk  and  at  right  angles 
to  a building,  front  or  diagonal  on  a corner,  and  constructed  of  metal 
and  glass  with  sufficient  hollow  space  between  the  faces  to  admit  of 
necessary  wiring  for  electricity,  or  pipes  for  gas ; the  lights  may  be 
inserted  in  the  face  to  give  exterior  light,  or  remain  in  the  hollow 
space;  all  glass  shall  be  of  wire  fabric  make  and  not  less  than  3/16 
inch  in  thickness. 

37.  Incombustile. — Materials  or  construction  which  will  not 
ignite  and  burn  when  subjected  to  fire. 

38.  Joint  Party  Wall. — A joint  party  wall  is  a solid  wall  built 
on  a dividing  property  line  and  projecting  over  both  sides  of  said  line 
and  used  to  separate  or  support  two  or  more  buildings. 

39.  Length  of  Building. — Its  greatest  longitudinal  dimension. 

40.  Live  Load. — All  loads  other  than  dead  loads.  All  partitions 
which  are  subject  to  removal  or  rearrangement  shall  be  considered  as 
live  load. 

41.  Non-Bearing  Wall. — One  which  supports  no  load  other  than 
its  own  weight. 

42.  Occupied. — Shall  be  construed  to  mean  occupied,  to  be  occu- 
pied, intended  or  designed  to  be  occupied. 

43.  Office  Building. — One  used  for  professional  or  clerical  pur- 
poses, but  not  for  manufacturing,  storage,  or  sale  of  goods,  except  by 
sample ; also  excepting  the  first  story,  which  may  be  used  for  commer- 
cial purposes.  No  part  of  such  building  shall  be  used  for  living  pur- 
poses except  by  the  janitor’s  family. 

44.  Outhouses. — All  structures  not  exceeding  12  feet  in  height, 
nor  more  than  400  square  feet  in  area,  exclusive  of  sheds. 

45.  Owner. — Any  person,  firm  or  corporation  owning  or  control- 
ling property,  and  includes  a duly  authorized  agent  or  attorney. 
Guardians,  conservators  or  trustees  shall  also  be  regarded  as  owner. 

46.  Panel  or  Enclosure  Wall. — An  exterior  non-bearing  wall  in 
a skeleton  structure  built  between  columns  or  piers  and  supported  at 
each  story. 

47.  Parapet  Wall. — That  portion  of  any  wall  which  extends  above 
the  roof  line  and  bears  no  load  except  as  it  may  serve  to  support  a 
tank. 

48.  Parking. — (a)  Parking  is  the  space  between  the  sidewalk  and 
the  building  line. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


23 


(b)  Parking  Line. — The  line  separating  parking  and  sidewalk. 

49.  Party  Wall. — A wall  used  or  adapted  for  joint  service  be- 
tween two  buildings. 

50.  Public  Building. — See  Section  267. 

51.  Public  Hallway. — A ball,  corridor  or  passageway  used  in 
common  by  the  occupants  of  a building  and  serving  as  a means  of 
communication  for  the  public  between  an  entrance  to  any  story  of  a 
building,  and  the  various  rooms,  apartments  or  spaces  in  that  story. 

52.  Retaining  Wall. — One  constructed  to  support  a body  of  earth 
or  to  resist  lateral  thrust. 

53.  Shed. — A roofed  structure,  open  on  all  sides,  which  does  not 
exceed  15  feet  in  height  nor  more  than  500  square  feet  in  area. 

53.  Sign  Bulletin. — A certain  class  of  construction  erected  and 
used  on  open  lots,  only  for  the  purpose  of  painting  signs  and  other 
advertising  matter  thereon,  and  is  constructed  with  wooden  posts  and 
braces,  and  having  a heavy  galvanized  sheet  metal  face  secured  to 
wooden  framing  strips,  and  a heavy  wooden  mould  I%x5  inches 
around  the  edges  and  a band  of  same  size. 

55.  Skeleton  Construction. — A form  of  building  construction 
wherein  all  external  and  internal  loads  and  stresses  are  transmitted  to 
the  foundations  by  a rigidly  connected  framework  of  metal  or  rein- 
forced concrete.  The  enclosing  walls  are  supported  by  girders  at  each 
story. 

56.  Skylight. — Any  cover  or  enclosure  placed  above  roof  open- 
ings for  the  admission  of  light. 

57.  Slow-Burning  Construction. — See  Section  266. 

58.  Smokeproof  Tower. — See  Section  301. 

59.  Story. — That  part  of  any  building  comprised  between  any 
floor  and  the  floor  or  roof  next  above.  In  case  any  floor  or  the  com- 
bined area  of  floors  at  any  one  level  extends  over  less  than  20  per 
cent,  of  the  horizontal  area  included  within  the  outside  walls  at  that 
level,  the  same  shall  not  be  considered  as  a floor  for  the  purpose  of 
determining  story  heights. 

60.  Structure. — Includes  the  terms  building,  appurtenance,  wall, 
platform,  staging,  or  flooring  used  for  standing  or  seating  purposes  ; 
a shed,  fence,  sign,  or  billboard  on  public  or  private  property,  or  on, 
above  or  below  a public  highway. 

61.  Supervisor. — The  Supervisor  of  Buildings,  or  such  other 
official  title  as  the  Board  of  Commissioners  may  apply  to  that. office 
or  position,  which  has  assigned  to  it  such  duties  as  are  generally  recog- 
nized in  supervising  building  construction.  It  shall  also  include  any 
deputy  or  assistant  authorized  to  represent  such  public  official. 


24 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


62.  A Tenement  House. — Is  any  house  or  building,  or  portion 
thereof,  which  is  either  rented  or  leased,  to  he  occupied  in  whole  or  in 
part  as  the  home  or  residence  of  two  or  more  families  living  inde- 
pendently of  each  other,  and  doing  their  cooking  upon  the  premises; 
and  having  a common  right  in  yards,  hallways,  stairways,  etc. ; and 
includes  apartment  houses,  flat  houses  and  all  other  houses  so  occupied. 

63.  Theatre. — Any  building  or  part  of  a building  designed  or 
used  for  theatrical  or  operatic  purposes  with  accommodation  for  an 
audience,  and  having  a permanent  stage  upon  which  movable  scenery 
and  theatrical  appliances  are  employed;  including  also  moving  pic- 
ture theatres,  either  with  or  without  a stage,  and  having  capacity  as 
above  stated. 

64.  Warehouse. — A building  or  portion  thereof,  designed  or  used 
for  the  storage  of  merchandise. 

65.  Width  of  a Building. — The  horizontal  dimension  next  in 
value  to  the  length. 

66.  Wired  Glass. — Glass  not  less  than  one-fourth  inch  thick  en- 
closing a layer  of  wire  fabric  reinforcement  having  a mesh  not  larger 
than  seven-eighths  inch,  and  the  size  of  wire  not  smaller  than  Ho. 
24-B.,  and  S.  guage. 

67.  Workshop. — A building  or  room  in  which  articles  of  mer- 
chandise are  manufactured  or  repaired  wholly  or  principally  by  hand. 

68.  A Yard. — Is  an  open,  unoccupied  space  on  the  same  lot  with  a 
tenement  house,  between  the  extreme  rear  line  of  the  house  and  the 
rear  line  of  the  lot. 

69.  Zone. — The  word  “Zone”  is  used  herein  to  denote  the  divi- 
sion of  the  city  into  sections  so  that  buildings  constructed  of  certain 
materials  or  character  may,  or  may  not  be  erected  therein.  For  ex- 
ample, (1)  “The  Fire  Retarding  Zone,”  (2)  “The  First  Zone,”  (3) 
“The  Second  Zone,”  (4)  “The  Third  Zone,”  and  (5)  “The  Factory 
Zone.” 

Idem. 


PART  VI. 


Classification  of  Buildings. 

266.  Classification  of  Buildings  by  Construction. 

For  the  purposes  of  this  Code,  buildings  shall  be  classified  accord- 
ing to  the  method  of  construction  as  follows : 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


25 


I.  Frame  Construction,  (a)  wooden  faced  walls,  (b)  metal 
faced  walls. 

II.  Veneered  Construction. 

III.  Non-Fireproof  Construction,  (a)  Ordinary  construction,  (b) 

mill  construction,  (c)  fire  retarding  construction. 

IV.  Fireproof  Construction. 

1.  Frame  Construction. — (a)  Structures  having  wooden  frames 
work  faced  on  outside  with  wooden  siding  or  wooden  shingles,  and 
using  a roof  of  wooden  shingles,  and  may  be  erected  in  the  Third 
Zone  only. 

(b)  For  Factory  Zone. — Structures  may  be  erected  having 
wooden  framework  with  sheathing  on  outside,  and  faced  with  approved 
sheet  metal  for  exterior  wall  surface,  or  masonry  walls  laid  in  cement 
mortar  with  a minimum  of  8 inches  in  thickness  and  not  over  30  feet 
in  height  and  properly  braced  by  sufficient  cross  walls,  piers  or  but- 
tresses, not  less  than  16  feet  apart  and  using  a roof  of  approved  in- 
combustible materials.  Buildings  of  this  class  may  be  erected  within 
the  Factory  Zone  only  for  shops,  warehouses  or  similar  purposes,  and 
the  basement  floor  (if  any)  shall  be  of  fireproof  construction. 

2.  N on-Fireproof  Construction. — The  term  “non-fir  eproof  con- 
struction” shall  apply  to  all  buildings  or  structures  having  exterior 
masonry  walls  with  floors  and  other  interior  construction  wholly  or 
in  part  of  wood. 

Ordinary  Construction. — (a)  A building  having  masonry  walls 
with  floors  and  partitions  of  wooden  joists  and  stud  construction,  the 
supporting  posts  and  girders  may  be  of  wood  or  of  metal,  or  (a2) 
having  veneered  construction  consisting  of  wooden  frame  work  with 
wooden  sheathing  on  the  outside  and  faced  with  brick,  stone,  terra 
cotta,  concrete,  or  tile  not  less  than  four  inches  thick,  or  a face  of 
Portland  cement  stucco,  or  similar  approved  plastic  material,  not  less 
than  % of  an  inch  thick  on  approved  metal  lath  or  plaster  board  not 
less  than  %-inch  thick.  Such  walls  may  have  the  gable  ends  faced 
with  wooden  shingles  which  have  been  dipped  two  times  in  creosote 
shingle  stain,  or  approved  asbestos  composition  shingles  not  less  than 
3/16  of  an  inch  thick.  Or  a composition  shingle  of  an  approved  make 
of  paper  fibre  with  a slate  or  sand  surfacing  and  well  nailed  at  each 
lower  corner  to  control  the  flexibility  thereof. 

This  class  of  gable  construction  may  be  used  on  one  and  two-story 
residences  or  similar  structures  in  the  Second  and  Third  Zones  only. 


26 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


(b)  Mill  Construction. — (Sometimes  called  “slow-burning  con- 
struction.”) A building  baying  masonry  walls,  and  heavy  timber  in- 
terior construction. 

(c)  Fire-Retarding  Construction. — (cl)  Consists  of  such  fire- 
retarding  works  as  stud  walls  fire-blocked  and  having  metal  lath  or 
plaster  board  on  both  sides  and  plastered  with  cement  plaster,  and 
wooden  joist  with  double  thick  floors  not  under  %-inch  each  with  two- 
ply  of  14-pound  asbestos  paper  between,  and  all  ceilings  covered  with 
(1st)  sheet  metal. 

(c2)  or  metal  lath  or  plaster  board  and  plastered  with  cement 
plaster. 

(c3)  And  all  stairways  and  elevator  shafts  enclosed  as  provided 
for  mill  construction. 

(c4)  And  all  outside  walls  and  Roofs  of  fireproof  materials. 

(c5)  And  openings  on  courts  or  alleys  as  provided  for  fireproof 
buildings  and  structures. 

Idem. 

4.  Fireproof  Construction. — Buildings  of  masonry,  steel  or  re- 
inforced concrete  construction  in  accordance  with  Sections  374  to  438, 
shall  be  considered  fireproof. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  788.  Approved  July  13,  1916. 

Idem. 

267.  Classification  of  Buildings  by  Occupancy. — All  buildings 
shall  be  classified  according  to  their  occupancy  or  use  under  one  of 
the  three  following  groups:  Public  Buildings,  Residence  Buildings, 
and  Business  Buildings.  These  groups  shall  be  further  subdivided 
into  classes,  designated  as  A,  B,  C,  D,  E and  F,  as  follows: 

1.  Public  Buildings:  Class  A;  Class  B. 

2.  Residence  Buildings  : Class  C;  Class  D. 

3.  Business  Buildings : Class  E ; Class  F. 

1.  Public  Buildings.  When  Required  Fireproof. — Public  build- 
ings shall  be  construed  to  include  all  buildings  or  structures  acces- 
sible to  the  public,  and  in  which  people  may  congregate  for  civic, 
political,  educational,  religious,  amusement  or  transportation  pur- 
poses; or  in  which  they  may  be  voluntarily  or  forcibly  detained  or 
housed  for  safety,  punishment,  observation,  or  care. 

Class  A.  Armories,  asylums,  bath  houses  (with  sleeping  accom- 
modations other  than  those  required  for  janitor),  city  halls,  colleges, 
courthouses,  detention  buildings,  police  station,  hospitals,  libraries, 
museums,  nurseries,  railway  passenger  stations,  schools,  and  theatres. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


27 


Al.  Buildings  of  this  class  shall  be  of  fireproof  construction, 
except  that  schools  in  which  no  pupils  are  accommodated  above  the 
second  story  may  be  of  non-fireproof  construction,  and  provided  that 
floors  in  moving  pictures  theatres  may  be  of  mill  construction  as  pro- 
vided in  Section  520,  paragraph  1. 

A2.  Where  armories,  railway  passenger  stations,  museums  and 
similar  buildings  have  large  arched  exposed  roof  construction,  the 
fireproofing  of  the  structural  members  of  these  roofs  may  be  omitted 
if  the  construction  of  the  remainder  of  the  buildings  would  reasonably 
warrant  such  omission. 

Glass  B.  Amusement  halls,  churches,  exhibition  buildings,  lodge 
rooms,  and  public  halls. 

Buildings  of  this  class  may  preferably  have  the  floor  over  the  . 
cellar  or  basement  which  is  nearest  to  grade  level  of  fireproof  con- 
struction. Provided  that  all  rooms  containing  heating  apparatus,  in- 
cluding the  doors  and  windows  thereof,  shall  be  of  fireproof  construc- 
tion. 

Buildings  of  this  class  over  three  stories,  or  40  feet  high,  shall  be 
of  fireproof  construction  throughout,  except  that  church  spires  need 
not  be  fireproof  until  they  exceed  75  feet  in  height. 

Every  permanent  structure  intended  for  the  seating  or  accommo- 
dation of  the  public,  commonly  known  as  grandstands,  erected  within 
the  fire  limits,  shall  be  of  fireproof  construction,  except  that  the  seats 
may  be  of  wood,  and  the  structural  steel  work  may  be  unprotected. 
When  portions  of  such  structures  are  enclosed,  the  enclosing  construc- 
tion shall  be  fireproof. 

2.  Residence  Buildings.  When  Required  Fireproof. — Residence 
buildings  shall  be  construed  to  mean  and  include  all  buildings  in  which 
sleeping  accommodations  (other  than  for  janitor  or  watchman)  are 
provided. 

Class  0.  Mats,  apartments,  club  houses,  and  studios  with  more 
than  fifteen  sleeping  rooms,  dormitories,  hotels  and  lodging  houses. 

(1)  Buildings  of  this  class  when  permitted  of  frame  construc- 
tion with  veneered  surface  to  outside  walls  shall  not  exceed  two  stories 
or  30  feet  in  height. 

(2)  All  buildings  of  this  class  three  stories  in  height  shall  have 
the  floor  over  cellar  or  basement  which  is  nearest  to  grade  level  of 
fireproof  construction. 

(3)  Buildings  of  this  class  over  three  stories,  or  40  feet  high, 
shall  be  of  fireproof  construction  throughout. 


28 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Class  D.  Single  dwellings  of  tenement  houses  not  over  two  stories 
high  and  all  other  residence  buildings  (not  specified  in  Class  C)  are 
to  be  erected  only  in  the  Third  Zone. 

(1)  Buildings  of  this  class  over  two  stories,  or  30  feet  high,  shall 
have  the  floor  over  cellar  or  basement  which  is  nearest  to  grade  level 
of  fireproof  construction. 

(2)  Buildings  of  this  class  over  three  stories,  or  40  feet  high, 
shall  be  of  fireproof  construction  throughout. 

(3)  When  the  lower  stories  or  portions  thereof  in  non-fireproof 
buildings  of  Classes  C and  D are  occupied  for  business  purposes,  the 
construction  shall  be  made  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of 
Section  361. 

3.  Business  Buildings.  When  Required  Fireproof . Business 
buildings  shall  be  construed  to  mean  and  include  all  structures  used 
for  or  adapted  to  the  transaction  of  business,  the  operation  of  mach- 
inery, the  manufacture  or  storage  of  machinery  or  materials,  the 
housing  of  live  stock,  or  for  any  other  industrial  purpose. 

Class  E.  Factories,  office  buildings,  printing  houses,  restaurants, 
stables,  stores,  warehouses,  and  workshops,  or  similar  structures. 

(1)  Buildings  of  this  class,  of  ordinary  construction  over  two 
stories,  or  30  feet  high,  shall  have  the  floor  over  the  lowest  story  of 
fireproof  construction. 

(2)  Buildings  of  this  class  over  four  stories,  or  55  feet  high,  shall 
be  of  fireproof  construction  throughout,  or  of  mill  construction. 

(3)  Mill  construction  buildings  shall  not  exceed  65  feet  in  height. 

Class  F.  Car  barns,  foundries,  light  and  power  plants,  railroad 

freight  stations ; also  special  industry  buildings,  constructed  and  occu- 
pied exclusively  for  a special  purpose  or  industry  and  not  otherwise 
classified,  such  as  coffee  roasters,  dry  cleaning  establishments,  grain 
elevators,  ice-making  plants,  laboratories,  malt  houses,  oil  houses,  oil 
refineries,  refrigerating  plants,  rendering  plants,  soap  factories, 
slaughter  houses,  wharf  buildings  and  similar  structures,  also  garages 
accommodating  more  than  three  cars,  or  in  which  cars  are  stored  on 
more  than  one  floor. 

(1)  Buildings  of  this  class,  such  as  garages  (as  herein  defined), 
oil  houses,  oil  refineries,  rendering  plants,  etc.,  and  buildings  or  por- 
tions of  buildings  which  are  used  for  the  storage  or  handling  of  large 
quantities  of  combustible  packing  or  refuse  material,  shall  be  only  of 
fireproof  construction. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


29 


(2)  All  other  buildings  of  Class  E shall  be  of  fireproof,  or  mill 
construction,  if  within  the  fire  limits,  or,  if  they  exceed  55  feet  in 
height. 

(3)  Buildings  of  Class  F,  whether  of  fireproof  construction  and 
within  the  fire  limits,  or  of  non-fireproof  construction  and  outside 
the  fire  limits,  shall  only  he  erected  in  such  isolated  localities  and  un- 
der such  conditions  as  are  provided  by  this  Code. 

(4)  Storage  of  lumber  shall  not  be  permitted  within  the  fire 
limits,  provided,  that  yards  existing  at  the  enactment  of  this  ordi- 
nance may  be  permitted  to  remain. 

(5)  When  any  building  is  not  classified,  or  where  there  is  any 
doubt  as  to  its  classification,  the  Supervisor  shall  designate  under 
which  class  it  shall  be  placed. 

(6)  When  any  building  is  used  for  the  purpose  of  two  or  more 
classes  as  herein  defined,  that  portion  devoted  to  the  occupancy  or  use 
of  a particular  class  shall  be  constructed  in  accordance  with  the  re- 
quirements of  that  class,  unless  such  construction  shall  prove  imprac- 
ticable, or  where  there  shall  be  a conflict  between  the  requirements  of 
the  different  classes,  in  which  case  the  class  requiring  the  safest  form 
of  construction  shall  govern  the  entire  building. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 

Idem. 


PAKT  VII. 


Permissible  x\rea  of  Lot  Occupied. 

268.  Limits  of  Lot  Area  Occupied. 

1.  Except  as  hereinafter  provided,  all  buildings  shall  have  un- 
covered spaces  for  providing  light  and  air.  These  spaces  shall  be  open 
to  the  sky  from  the  top  of  the  second  story  window  sills,  and  shall  be 
in  accordance  with  the  following  table ; in  which  all  paragraphs  from 
2 to  11,  inclusive,  shall  be  read  as  if  containing  the  words  “except 
theatres,  special  industry  buildings,  and  tenement  houses.” 

2.  Buildings  of  Class  C,  on  lots  other  than  corner  lots  : 

'Twenty  per  cent  of  total  lot  area  when  not  exceeding  75  feet  in 

height. 

Twenty-five  per  cent  of  total  lot  area  when  over  75  feet  and  not 
exceeding  125  feet  in  height. 


30 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Buildings  of  Class  C,  on  corner  lots: 

Fifteen  per  cent  of  total  lot  area  when  not  exceeding  six  stories, 
or  75  feet  in  height,  and  shall  increase  2 per  cent  for  each  additional 
story  up  to  125  feet  in  height. 

3.  All  buildings  not  enumerated  in  paragraph  2 on  lots  other 
than  corner  lots : 

Ten  per  cent  of  total  lot  area  when  not  exceeding  75  feet  in  height. 

Twelve  and  one-half  per  cent  of  total  lot  area  when  over  75  feet 
and  not  exceeding  125  feet  in  height. 

4.  All  buildings  not  enumerated  in  paragraph  2 on  corner  lots 
not  exceeding  2,500  square  feet  in  area: 

Five  per  cent  of  total  lot  area  when  not  exceeding  75  feet  in 
height. 

Seven  and  one-half  per  cent  of  total  lot  area  when  over  75  feet 
and  not  exceeding  125  feet  in  height. 

5.  When  buildings  are  on  corner  lots,  more  than  2,500  square 
feet  in  area,  that  portion  of  the  building  upon  the  excess  lot  area  over 
and  above  2,500  square  feet  shall  be  provided  with  open  spaces  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  requirements  of  paragraph  2,  or  3,  as  the  case  may 
be,  of  this  section. 

6.  Every  building  (other  than  buildings  of  Class  C)  which  occu- 
pies lots  fronting  upon  three  or  more  streets  may  occupy  the  entire 
lot  area,  provided  the  maximum  width  of  the  building  does  not  exceed 
75  feet. 

7.  The  total  area  of  the  uncovered  spaces  of  all  buildings  which 
are  more  than  75  feet  in  width  and  occupy  an  entire  block  front  fac- 
ing upon  thre$  or  more  streets  may  be  less  by  25  per  cent  than  is 
required  by  the  provisions  of  paragraphs  3,  4,  5 and  6 of  this  section. 

8.  There  shall  be  a clear  space  not  less  than  five  feet  in  width, 
at  and  above  the  second  story  window  sills,  between  the  rear  line  of 
every  building  and  the  rear  line  of  every  lot  except  comer  lots.  This 
shall  not  apply  to  buildings  which  extend  through  from  one  street 
to  another,  or  from  a street  to  an  alley. 

9.  In  every  court  or  yard  the  distance  between  opposite  boundary 
walls  shall  be  not  less  than  five  feet  at  any  point  for  a height  not 
exceeding  75  feet,  and  shall  be  at  least  one-half  inch  greater  through- 
out its  height  for  every  additional  foot  above  75  feet. 

10.  When  existing  buildings  are  extended  or  increased  in  area, 
the  ratio  of  total  uncovered  space  to  the  area  of  the  lot  shall  not  be 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


31 


required  to  be  greater  than  it  would  be  were  the  entire  building  erected 
in  accordance  with  this  Code. 

11.  In  order  to  fulfill  the  requirements  of  this  section,  uncovered 
spaces  may  be  increased  in  size  as  they  go  upward  if  thereby  they 
provide  at  every  given  level  the  requisite  area  of  uncovered  space 
for  a structure  of  that  particular  height. 

Idem. 


PAKT  VIII. 


Excavations  and  Foundations. 

269.  Excavations. — The  person  causing  any  excavation  to  be 
made  for  a building,  shall  have  the  same  properly  guarded  and  pro- 
tected. Wherever  necessary  he  shall  at  his  own  expense  properly 
sheath,  pile  and  erect  masonry  or  steel  construction,  or  a sufficient 
retaining  wall  to  permanently  support  the  adjoining  earth.  Such  re- 
taining wall  shall  extend  from  full  depth  of  'excavation  to  the  level 
of  the  adjoining  earth  and  shall  be  properly  coped. 

Idem. 

270.  Excavations  Affecting  Adjoining  Property. 

1.  Whenever  an  excavation  is  not  intended  to  be  or  shall  not  be 
carried  to  a depth  of  more  than  10  feet  below  the  curb  level,  the 
owner  of  every  adjoining  or  contiguous  wall  or  structure,  yard,  or 
bank  of  earth  or  rock  shall  protect  the  same,  so  that  they  shall  be  and 
remain  as  safe  as  before  such  excavation  was  begun.  Such  owner 
shall  be  permitted  to  enter  upon  the  premises  where  the  excavation  is 
being  made  when  necessary  for  this  purpose. 

(“Provided,  however,  if  the  foundation  of  any  such  adjoining 
or  contiguous  wall  or  structure  rests  upon  solid  rock  and  is  in  good 
condition,  then  the  owner  of  the  land  upon  which  such  excavation 
work,  if  accorded  the  necessary  license  to  enter  upon  the  adjoining 
land,  shore  up,  protect,  and  save  from  injury  all  footings,  foundations, 
walls,  or  parts  thereof  which  are  liable  to  be  injured  by  reason  of  such 
excavation.”) 

2.  Whenever  an  excavation  of  either  earth  or  rock  for  buildings 
or  other  purposes  shall  be  intended  to  be  or  shall  be  carried  to  the 
depth  of  more  than  ten  feet  below  the  curb,  the  person  causing  such 
excavation  to  be  made  shall  at  all  times  from  the  commencement  un- 


32 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


til  the  completion  thereof,  if  accorded  the  necessary  license  to  enter 
upon  the  adjoining  land,  and  not  otherwise,  at  his  own  expense,  pre- 
serve any  adjoining  or  contiguous  wall,  structure,  yard,  or  bank  of 
earth  or  rock  from  injury,  and  support  the  same  by  proper  founda- 
tions or  retaining  walls,  so  that  the  said  wall,  structure,  yard,  or  bank 
of  earth  or  rock  shall  be  and  remain  practically  as  safe  as  before  such 
excavation  was  commenced,  whether  the  said  adjoining  or  contiguous 
wall,  structure,  yard,  or  bank  of  earth  or  rock  are  down  more  or  less 
than  ten  feet  below  or  above  the  curb.  For  this  purpose  such  approved 
foundations  or  retaining  walls  may  be  built  upon  the  property  upon 
which  the  wall,  structure,  yard,  or  bank  of  earth  or  rock  is  situated. 
If  the  necessary  license  is  not  accorded  to  the  person  or  persons  mak- 
ing such  excavation,  then  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  owner  refusing 
to  grant  such  license,  at  his  own  expense,  to  make  the  adjoining  or 
contiguous  wall,  structure,  yard,  or  bank  of  earth  or  rock,  safe,  and 
support  the  same  by  proper  foundations  so  that  adjoining  excavations 
may  be  made,  and  shall  be  permitted  to  enter  upon  the  premises  where 
such  excavation  is  being  made  for  that  purpose,  when  necessary. 

Idem. 

271.  Foundations  Adjoining  Party  Walls. 

1.  In  case  a party  wall  is  intended  to  be  used  by  the  person  caus- 
ing an  excavation  to  be  made,  and  the  footings  and  foundations  of 
such  party  wall  are  in  good  condition  and  sufficient  for  the  uses  of 
both  the  existing  building  and  the  new  one,  then  the  person  causing 
the  excavation  to  be'  made,  shall,  at  his  own  expense,  preserve  such 
party  wall  from  injury,  and  support  the  same  by  proper  means,  so 
that  said  party  wall  shall  be  and  remain  as  safe  as  before  the  excava- 
tion was  begun. 

2.  In  case  the  footings  and  foundations  of  any  said  party  wall 
are  not  in  good  condition,  or  not  sufficient  for  the  uses  of  both  the 
existing  building  and  the  newr  one,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  person 
causing  such  excavation  to  be  made  to  extend  such  defective  or  in- 
sufficient footing  or  foundation,  or  to  replace  same  with  a new  foot- 
ing or  foundation.  Such  extended  or  new  footing  shall  project  on 
each  side  of  the  party  line  such  a distance  as  to  bring  the  center  of 
the  footing  under  the  center  of  the  wall,  so  that  the  total  load  upon 
the  wall  may  be  uniformly  distributed  over  the  area  of  the  footing. 
Any  other  method  may  be  used  which  will  adequately  support  the 
party  wall.  In  order  that  this  may  be  done,  the  person  causing  the 
excavation  to  be  made  shall  be  allowed  access  to  the  adjoining  prem- 


ises. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


33 


3.  In  case  any  excavation  or  the  removal  of  any  existing  building, 
shows  any  adjoining  wall  or  structure  to  be  unsafe  at  the  time  of  the 
excavation  was  begun,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  person  causing  the 
excavation  to  be  made,  or  the  building  to  be  removed,  to  forthwith 
report  the  fact,  in  writing,  to  the  Supervisor,  who  shall  upon  the 
receipt  of  such  notice,  forthwith  cause  an  inspection  of  such  adjoin- 
ing premises  to  be  made,  and  if  such  inspection  proves  the  aforesaid 
wall  or  structure  to  be  unsafe,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Supervisor 
to  declare  such  wall  or  structure  to  be  unsafe  and  cause  the  same 
to  be  repaired  as  herein  provided. 

4.  If  the  person  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  preserve  or  protect  from 
injury  any  wall  or  structure  shall  neglect  or  fail  so  to  do  within 
twenty-four  hours  after  the  receipt  of  a notice  from  the  Supervisor, 
then-  the  Supervisor  may  enter  upon  the  premises  and  employ  such 
labor,  and  furnish  such  materials  and  take  such  steps  as,  in  his  judg- 
ment, may  be  necessary  to  make  the  premises  safe  and  secure,  or  to 
prevent  the  same  from  becoming  unsafe  or  dangerous,  at  the  cost 
and  expense  of  the  person  whose  duty  it  is  to  keep  the  same  safe 
and  secure. 

5.  Ho  foundation  wall  shall  be  built  up  against  another  founda- 
tion party  wall  until  the  face  of  the  old  party  wall  is  trimmed  and 
made  plumb  and  straight  to  the  party  line ; all  such  trimmings  shall 
be  done  at  the  expense  of  the  constructing  property  owner. 

Idem . 

272.  Bearing  Capacity  of  Soil. 

1.  When  doubt  arises  as  to  the  safe  sustaining  power  of  the  soil 
upon  which  a building  is  to  be  erected,  the  Supervisor  may  order  bor- 
ings to  be  made,  or  he  may  order  tests  of  the  sustaining  power  of  the 
soil  to  be  made  by  and  at  the  expense  of  the  owner  of  the  proposed 
building.  Such  test  shall  be  made  in  accordance  with  specifications 
established  by  the  Supervisor,  and  he  shall  be  notified  before  any  test 
is  made,  so  that  he  may  be  present  or  represented  thereat.  The  rec- 
ords of  such  boring  or  tests  shall  be  filed  with  the  Supervisor. 

2.  The  safe  bearing  capacity  of  different  soils  shall  be  as  de- 
termined by  the  Supervisor,  and  in  the  absence  of  tests  shall  not 
exceed  the  values  given  in  the  following  table : 

Character  of  Soil.  Tons  per  Square  Foot. 


Soft  clay 1 

Tfirm  clay,  fine  sand,  or  layers  of  sand  and  clay,  wet  ....  2 


34 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Clay  or  fine  sand,  firm  and  dry 3 

Hard  clay,  coarse  sand,  gravel 4 

Hard  pan 8 to  15 

Rock 15  to  72 

Idem . 


273.  Foundation  Walls. 

1.  Foundation  walls  shall  be  construed  to  include  all  walls  and 
piers  built  below  the  curb  level,  or  nearest  tier  of  beams  to  the  curb, 
or  to  the  average  level  of  the  ground  adjoining  the  walls,  to  serve  as 
supports  for  walls,  piers,  columns,  girders,  posts  or  beams. 

2.  If  built  of  rubble  stone  or  brick  they  shall  be  at  least  8 inches 
thicker  than  the  wall  next  above  them  to  a depth  of  12  feet  below  the 
curb  level ; and  for  every  additional  10  feet,  or  part  thereof  deeper, 
they  shall  be  increased  4 inches  in  thickness. 

3.  If  built  of  brick  or  plain  concrete  and  supporting  walls  over  30 
feet  in  height,  they  shall  be  at  least  4 inches  thicker  than  the  wall 
next  above  them  to  a depth  of  12  feet  below  the  curb  level;  and  for 
every  additional  10  feet,  or  part  thereof  deeper,  they  shall  be  in- 
creased 4 inches  in  thickness.  In  buildings  not  exceeding  30 
feet  in  height,  the  Supervisor  may  at  his  discretion  permit  the  foun- 
dation walls  to  he  the  same  thickness  as  the  walls  above. 

4.  Hollow  blocks  may  be  used  for  the  foundation  walls  of  build- 
ing not  exceeding  three  stories  or  40  feet  in  height,  'provided  said 
walls  are  not  less  than  the  thickness  required  for  foundation  walls  of 
brick  or  plain  concrete.  All  blocks  shall  be  laid  to  line  and  level  and 
carefully  bonded.  When  blocks  are  laid  with  cells  vertical  the  sta- 
bility of  the  walls  and  their  resistance  to  water,  may  he  increased  by 
being  filled  solidly  with  wet  concrete.  Such  foundations  shall  not  be 
stressed  beyond  the  limits  allowed  in  Section  320,  taken  over  combined 
area  of  blocks  and  fill. 

5.  Portland  cement  mortar  only  shall  be  used  in  footings  and 
foundation  walls. 

Idem. 

274.  Footings. 

1.  The  footings  for  foundation  walls,  piers  and  columns  shall  be 
constructed  of  plain  concrete,  reinforced  concrete,  or  of  steel  grillage 
beams  resting  on  a bed  of  concrete.  Wooden  footings  may  be  used 
if  they  are  entirely  below  the  level  of  low  water,  provided  that  no 
footing  is  necessary  if  foundation  rests  on  solid  rock. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


35 


2.  Footings  shall  he  so  designed  that  the  loads  they  sustain  per 
unit  of  area  shall  he  as  nearly  uniform  as  possible,  and  the  stresses 
shall  conform  to  the  requirements  of  this  Code.  The  dead  loads  carried 
by  the  footings  shall  include  the  actual  weight  of  the  superstructure 
and  foundations  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  footing.  All  tanks  or  other 
receptacles  for  liquids  shall  be  figured  as  being  full.  All  vaults  or 
similar  built-in  structures  shall  be  considered  parts  of  the  building. 

The  live  load  on  column  footings  shall  be  assumed  to  be  the  same 
as  the  live  load  in  the  lowrest  tier  of  columns. 

3.  Loads  exerting  pressure  under  the  footings  of  foundations  of 
buildings  more  than  three  stories  in  height,  shall  be  computed  as  fol- 
lows : 

(a)  For  buildings  in  wdiich  the  required  live  load  does  not  exceed 
75  pounds  per  square  foot,  assume  the  total  dead  load,  plus  60  per 
cent  of  the  full  live  load. 

(b)  For  buildings  in  which  the  required  live  load  exceeds  75 
pounds  per  square  foot,  assume  the  total  dead  load,  plus  75  per  cent 
of  the  full  live  load. 

In  no  case  shall  the  load  per  square  foot  under  any  portion  of  any 
footing  due  to  the  combined  dead,  live  and  wind  loads,  exceed  the 
safe  sustaining  power  of  the  soil  upon  which  the  footing  rests. 

4.  Concrete  footings  shall  be  not  less  than  12  inches  thick,  ex- 
cept as  provided  in  Section  455. 

5.  Concrete  footings  shall  be  made  of  at  least  one  part  of  Port- 
land cement,  and  not  more  than  two  and  one-half  parts  of  sand,  and 
five  parts  of  broken  stone  or  gravel. 

6.  Broken  stone  shall  be  hard,  durable  and  of  quality  approved 
by  the  Supervisor.  Where  gravel  is  used  it  shall  be  thoroughly 
washed. 

7.  Where  mass  concrete  is  used  for  footings  or  foundations,  the 
stone  or  gravel  shall  be  of  such  size  as  will  pass  through  a two-inch 
ring,  and  shall  be  free  from  dust  or  other  deleterious  material.  Suffi- 
cient smaller  aggregate  shall  be  added  to  secure  density,  and  provided 
that  one  man  stone  may  be  used  as  a coarse  aggregate  if  spaced  not 
less  than  three  inches  apart  and  three  inches  away  from  the  faces  of 
forms. 

8.  Stepped-up  courses  of  brick  shall  have  offsets  of  not  more  than 
one-half  inch  if  laid  in  single  courses,  and  one  inch  if  laid  in  double 


courses. 


36 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


9.  If  the  nature  of  the  ground  and  the  character  of  the  building 
are  such  as  to  make  it  necessary  or  advisable,  isolated  piers  may  be 
used  instead  of  a continuous  wall  to  support  the  building. 

10.  Grillage  beams  shall  be  united  by  holts  and  separators,  and 
the  grillage  filled  solid  with  concrete.  All  metal  which  forms  a part 
of  any  footing  or  foundation  shall  he  entirely  encased  with  at  least 
four  inches  of  concrete. 

Idem. 

275.  1.  Wooden  piles  shall  be  of  approved  timber.  They  shall 
he  sound  and  straight.  The  diameter  at  the  butt  shall  be  not  less 
than  ten  inches,  and  the  diameter  at  the  point  shall  be  not  less  than 
five  inches.  Any  pile  over  20  feet  in  length  shall  be  not  less  than 
12  inches  at  the  butt.  The  minimum  distance  between  piles  shall 
be  two  feet. 

2.  Piles  shall  be  driven  to  refusal  if  possible,  and  the  method  of 
driving  shall  be  such  as  not  to  impair  their  strength.  The  maximum 
load  carried  by  a pile  driven  through  firm  soil  to  rock  or  hard  pan 
shall  be  computed  by  multiplying  the  average  area  of  cross  section 
in  inches  by  500  pounds;  but  in  no  case  shall  such  load  exceed  15 
tons.  Piles  driven  through  loose,  wet  soil  to  solid  rock  or  hard  pan, 
shall  be  figured  as  columns  unsupported  lasterally  for  their  entire 
length. 

3.  The  safe  sustaining  power  of  a pile  not  driven  to  refusal, 
which  shall  in  no  case  exceed  ten  tons,  shall  be  determined  by  calcula- 
tion based  upon  the  following  formula : 

2 W H 

L— 

P 1 

in  which  L=the  allowable  load  in  tons  (maximum  ten  tons), 

W— the  weight  of  the  hammer  in  tons, 

H— the  fall  of  the  hammer  in  feet  (maximum  15  feet), 

P— the  average  penetration  in  inches  under  the  last  five 
blows  after  the  pile  has  sunk  to  a point  where  successive  blows  pro- 
duce approximately  equal  penetrations. 

The  Supervisor  shall  be  notified  before  any  test  is  made  of  the 
sustaining  power  of  piles,  so  that  he  may  be  present  or  represented 
thereat. 

4.  The  sustaining  power  of  wooden  piles  driven  by  steam  or  pneu- 
matic hammers  or  by  jetting  shall  be  determined  by  test  as  directed 
by  the  Supervisor. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


37 


5.  Piles  shall  be  cut  off  so  that  the  tops  are  always  below  the 
level  of  mean  low  water.  Portland  cement  concrete  shall  be  rammed 
down  in  the  interspaces  between  the  heads  of  the  piles  to  a depth 
of  not  less  than  eight  inches,  and  laterally  for  a distance  of  not  .less 
than  twelve  inches  on  each  side  of  the  row  of  piles. 

6.  Under  frame  buildings  piles  may  be  capped  with  timbers, 
the  timbers  shall  be  sound  wood,  not  less  than  six  inches  thick,  and 
properly  joined  together.  The  tops  of  all' such  timbers  shall  be  below 
the  level  of  mean  low  water,  except  in  the  case  of  frame  buildings 
built  over  the  water  or  on  soft  meadow,  or  similar  land,  in  which 
case  piles  may  project  above  the  water  a sufficient  distance  to  raise 
the  building  above  high  tide,  and  then  the  building  may  be  placed 
directly  thereon. 

Idem. 

276.  Concrete  Piles. 

.1.  Piles  consisting  of  steel  tubes  filled  with  concrete  shall  have 
a minimum  inside  diameter  of  ten  inches,  and  the  thickness  of  the 
metal  tube  not  less  than  %-inch.  The  length  shall  not  exceed  forty 
times  the  inside  diameter.  The  ends  of  the  tube  shall  be  faced  per- 
pendicular to  its  axis.  Uo  more  than  one  splice  of  an  approved  de- 
sign shall  be  used  in  the  total  length  of  the  pile.  When  driven  to 
rock,  the  load  on  such  piles  shall  not  exceed  500  pounds  per  square 
inch  on  the  concrete,  and  7,500  pounds  per  square  inch  on  the  steel. 
In  computing  the  effective  area  of  the  steel,  %-inch  of  its  thickness 
shall  be  deducted  from  the  thickness  of  the  tube  to  allow  for  corrosion. 

2.  Concrete  piles  moulded  and  cured  before  driving  shall  be  pro- 
vided with  not  less  than  2 per  cent  nor  more  than  4 per  cent  of  longti- 
tudinal  reinforcement  with  bands  or  hoops  not  less  than  %-inch  diam- 
eter, and  spaced  not  further  apart  than  six  inches.  The  average 
diameter  of  the  pile  shall  be  not  less  than  12  inches,  and  the  diameter 
at  the  foot  not  less  than  eight  inches.  The  length  shall  not  exceed 
thirty  times  the  average  diameter  for  piles  driven  through  firm  soil, 
and  shall  not  exceed  fifteen  times  the  average  diameter  for  piles  driven 
to  rock  through  loose  wet  soil,  or  filled  ground.  When  driven  to  rock 
the  maximum  load  carried  on  such  piles  shall  not  exceed  6,000  lbs. 
per  square  inch  on  the  longitudinal  reinforcement  and  500  lbs.  per 
square  inch  on  the  concrete  at  the  average  cross  section. 

The  top  of  the  piles  shall  be  protected  with  a cushion  cap  of  ap- 
proved design,  and  when  driven  to  rock  the  foot  shall  be  provided 
with  a metal  shoe  having  a square  bearing. 


38 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


3.  When  piles  of  the  types  described  in  paragraphs  1 and  2 are 
not  driven  to  rock  their  carrying  capacity  shall  be  determined  by  means 
of  one  or  more  test  piles,  and  the  working  load  shall  not  exceed  one- 
half  the  test  load  under  which  the  pile  begins  to  settle,  nor  shall  the 
prescribed  unit  stresses  be  exceeded. 

4.  Concrete  piles  cast  in  place  shall  be  made  in  such  manner  as  to 
insure  the  exclusion  of  any  foreign  matter,  and  to  secure  a uniform 
full-size  section  for  the  entire  length.  The  average  diameter  of  the 
pile  shall  be  not  less  than  14  inches  and  the  diameter  at  the  foot  not 
less  than  8 inches.  The  length  shall  not  exceed  twenty-five  times  the 
average  diameter.  The  carrying  capacity  of  such  piles  shall  be  de- 
termined by  means  of  one  or  more  test  piles,  and  the  allowable  working 
load  shall  be  not  greater  than  one-half  the  test  load  under  which  the 
test  pile  begins  to  settle,  nor  greater  than  350  lbs.,  per  square  inch. 

5.  The  concrete  shall  be  mixed  in  the  proportion  of  one  part 
Portland  cement,  two  parts  of  clean  coarse  sand,  and  four  parts  of 
broken  stone  or  gravel  of  a size  passing  through  a 1 1/4-inch  diame- 
ter ring,  with  sufficient  water  to  produce  a plastic  or  viscous  consist- 
ency. 

6.  The  clear  space  between  the  heads  of  concrete  piles  shall  be 
not  less  than  16  inches. 

7.  The  permissible  load  upon  piles  driven  out  of  plumb,  and  the 
extent  to  which  piles  may  be  driven  out  of  plumb  before  being  con- 
demned, shall  be  determined  by  the  Supervisor. 

8.  No  pile  or  group  of  piles  shall  be  loaded  eccentrically. 

Idem. 


PART  IX. 


Walls. 

277.  Brick  Walls  and  Walls  in  General. 

1.  Every  building  other  than  frame  buildings  shall  be  enclosed 
on  all  sides  with  independent  or  party  walls  of  incombustible  ma- 
terials. This  shall  not  preclude  the  construction  of  any  story  sup- 
ported on  piers  entirely  open  to  the  outer  air,  provided  that  in  all 
such  buildings  the  floor  and  the  ceiling  of  such  open  story  shall  be 
protected  by  incombustible  material. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


' 39 

2.  The  masonry  walls  and  piers  of  every  building  shall  be  prop- 
erly and  solidly  bonded  with  mortar  joints.  They  shall  be  built  to  a 
line  and  carried  up  plumb  and  straight. 

3.  All  brick  shall  be  thoroughly  wet  just  previous  to  being  laid), 
except  in  freezing  weather,  when  they  shall  be  thoroughly  dry.  IsFo 
mason  work  of  any  description  shall  be  built  when  the  temperature  is 
below  28  degrees  Fahrenheit  on  a rising  temperature,  or  32  degrees 
on  a falling  temperature  at  the  point  where  the  work  is  in  progress. 
Ni o frozen  materials  shall  be  built  upon,  but  shall  be  removed. 

4.  INPo  wall  of  any  building  or  structure  shall  be  built  more  than 
two  stories  in  advance  of  any  other  portion  of  the  walls  of  the  building 
or  structure;  this  provision  need  not  apply  to  buildings  where  walls 
are  carried  independently  by  girders  at  each  floor.  All  walls  shall  be 
securely  anchored  and  bonded  at  points  where  they  intersect.  Where 
such  walls  are  not  built  at  the  same  time,  the  perpendicular  joint  shall 
be  regularly  toothed  with  4-inch  offsets,  and  the  joint  shall  be  provided 
with  anchors  not  less  than  2-inch  by  %-inch  metal,  with  bent-up  ends 
or  cross  pins  to  form  anchorage ; such  anchors  are  to  be  not  less  than 
3 feet  long,  extending  18  inches  on  each  side  of  the  joint  and  spaced 
not  more  than  three  feet  apart  in  height. 

5.  The  walls  and  beams  -of  every  building  during  erection  or 
alteration  shall  be  securely  braced  wherever  required  until  the  build- 
is  enclosed. 

6.  In  brick  walls  every  sixth  course  shall  be  a heading  course, 
except  where  walls  are  faced  with  brick  in  Flemish  bond,  in  which 
case  the  headers  of  every  third  course  shall  be  full  brick  and  bonded 
into  the  backing.  Where  running  bond  is  used,  it  shall  be  bonded 
into  the  backing  by  cutting  the  comers  of  every  brick  of  every  sixth 
course  of  the  face  brick  and  putting  in  a row  of  diagonal  headers 
behind  the  same,  or  suitable  metal  anchors  shall  be  used  in  the  bond- 
ing course  at  intervals  not  exceeding  one  foot.  Where  face  brick  is 
used  of  a different  thickness  from  the  brick  used  for  backing,  the 
courses  of  the  exterior  and  interior  brickwork  shall  be  brought  to  a 
level  bed  at  intervals  of  not  more  than  eight  courses  in  height  of  the 
face  brick,  and  the  face  brick  shall  be  properly  tied  to  the  backing 
by  a full  heading  course  of  the  face  brick  or  other  approved  method. 

7.  Face  brick  shall  be  laid  at  the  same  time  as  the  backing,  and 
shall  in  no  case  be  laid  after  the  backing  is  in  place. 

8.  When  walls  of  hollow  blocks  are  veneered  as  permitted  in 
Section  287,  the  facing  shall  either  be  bonded  to  the  baeking  with 


40 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


a row  of  headers  every  16  inches,  or  be  attached  to  the  backing  with 
approved  metal  wall  ties  bedded  in  the  mortar  joints.  Snch  ties  shall 
not  be  spaced  further  apart  on  centers  than  one  foot  vertically  and 
two  feet  horizontally.  Such  veneering  shall  not  be  considered  a part 
of  the  required  thickness  of  the  wall.  Brick  facing  or  veneering  may, 
however,  he  considered  as  part  of  a hollow  terra  cotta  or  concrete 
wall  (or  vice  verse),  provided  the  veneering  is  bonded  at  least  four 
inches  into  the  wall  at  intervals  not  exceeding  six  courses  of  brick. 
When  veneering  is  used,  special  care  shall  be  taken  to  fill  all  joints 
flush  with  mortar  around  wall  openings. 

9.  No  timber,  except  inside  segments,  as  described  in  Section  291, 
and  nailing  blocks  not  over  eight  inches  in  length,  shall  be  placed  in 
any  masonry  wall. 

10.  The  walls  of  each  story  shall  he  built  up  the  full  thickness 
to  the  top  of  the  beams  above. 

Idem. 

278.  Piers. 

1.  Every  pier  shall  be  built  of  squared  stone,  stone  concrete,  or 
approved  brick.  Stone  or  brick  piers  shall  be  laid  in  Portland  cement 
mortar.  Every  exterior  pier  shall  be  -securely  anchored  to  the  beams 
or  girders  at  the  level  of  each  tier.  The  height  of  any  isolated  pier 
shall  not  be  greater  than  ten  times  its  least  horizontal  dimension. 
Except  in  frame  buildings,  no  masonry  pier  shall  be  less  than  16 
inches  square. 

2.  Interior  piers  shall  not  be  built  of  stone,  neither  shall  stone 
bonds  or  caps  be  used  in  such  piers,  except  in  frame  buildings. 

3.  Every  exterior  stone  or  brick  pier  less  than  six  square  feet 
in  cross-section,  which  supports  a beam,  girder,  arch  or  column  upon 
which  a wall  rests,  or  a lintel  spanning  an  opening  over  ten  feet  wide 
on  which  a wall  rests,  shall  have  built  into  it,  at  vertical  intervals 
of  not  more  than  six  times  the  least  dimension  of  the  pier,  approved 
bond  stones,  steel,  or  cast  iron  plates.  All  bond  plates  shall  be  full 
size  of  the  pier. 

4.  Steel  bond  plates  shall  be  not  less  than  %-inch  in  thickness 
and  shall  be  perforated  by  three  holes  per  square  foot  of  area ; the 
diameter  of  the  holes  shall  be  not  less  than  %-inch. 

5.  Monolithic  stone  posts  shall  not  be  used  for  the  support  of 
columns,  girders  or  walls. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


41 


279.  Stone  Walls. 

1.  Every  stone  wall  shall  have  one  header  extending  through  the 
wall  in  every  2 feet  in  height  and  every  three  feet  in  length.  Headers 
shall  be  staggered.  All  headers  shall  he  good,  flat  stones,  not  less 
than  12  inches  wide  and  8 inches  thick. 

2.  All  stones  shall  be  laid  on  their  natural  bed.  Ho  stone  which 
does  not  bond  into  the  wall  at  least  six  inches  shall  be  used.  Stones 
shall  be  firmly  bedded  in  mortar  with  all  spaces  and  joints  thoroughly 
filled. 

3.  Walls  built  of  squared  stone,  with  dressed  level  beds,  shall  have 
a thickness  not  less  than  that  required  for  brick  walls  under  similar 
conditions. 

4.  Walls  built  of  rubble  stone  shall  have  a sufficient  increase  of 
thickness  over  that  specified  for  squared  stone  walls.  Ruble  stone 
walls  shall  not  exceed  three  stories,  or  40  feet,  in  height. 

Idem. 

280.  Ashlar. 

1.  Stone  or  architectural  terra  cotta  ashlar,  or  other  approved 
material  used  for  the  facing  of  any  building  or  structure,  shall  be  not 
less  than  four  inches  thick.  In  stone  ashlar,  each  stone  shall  have 
a reasonably  uniform  thickness,  but  all  stones  need  not  necessarily 
be  the  same  thickness. 

2.  Each  block  of  ashlar  or  other  approved  facing,  shall  either 
be  bonded  into  the  backing,  or  be  securely  anchored  to  the  backing 
with  metallic  anchors,  at  least  one  for  each  30  inches  lineal  length 
of  course,  and  the  backing,  independent  of  facing,  shall  conform 
to  the  wall  thickness  required  by  this  Code. 

3.  Where  every  alternate  course  of  facing  is  at  least  eight  inches 
thick  and  bonded  into  the  backing,  at  least  four  inches,  the  ashlar 
may  be  counted  as  part  of  the  thickness  of  the  wall. 

4.  Ho  wall  faced  with  ashlar  shall  be  less  than  12  inches  thick. 

Idem. 

281.  Mortar  for  Walls. — -Foundations,  footings  and  parapet  wall 
cappings  shall  be  laid  in  Portland  cement  mortar,  also  arches  over  door- 
ways and  windows.  All  chimney  stems  shall  be  laid  in  Portland 
cement  mortar  to  which  10  per  cent  of  lime  has  been  added.  Other 
brick  walls  may  be  laid  in  lime,  lime  and  cement,  or  cement  mortar. 
Hollow  block  walls  shall  be  laid  in  Portland  cement  mortar  to  which 
10  per  cent  of  lime  has  been  added.  * 

Idem. 


42 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


282.  Brick  Wall  Thicknesses. 

1.  All  bearing  walls  shall  be  of  sufficient  thickness  to  support  the 
load  to  be  carried  without  exceeding  the  stresses  herein  specified,  but 
in  no  case  shall  such  walls  be  less  than  12  inches  thick,  unless  built 
of  reinforced  concrete. 

2.  The  minimum  thickness  of  all  brick  bearing  walls  shall  be 
in  accordance  with  the  following  schedules  and  tables.  In  determin- 
ing the  thickness  of  walls  for  varying  heights,  they  shall  be  measured 
to  the  nearest  tier  of  beams  or  support,  whether  this  be  a founda- 
tion, a beam,  or  a girder. 

3.  Walls  for  Dwelling  House  Class. — The  expression,  “walls 
for  dwelling  house  class/’  shall  be  taken  to  mean  and  include  walls  for 
all  buildings  specified  under  Classes  0 and  D,  Section  267,  as  well 
as  all  other  buildings  used  for  temporary  or  permanent  residence. 

For  all  brick  bearing  walls  of  buildings  of  the  dwelling  house 
class,  the  upper  three#  stories  shall  be  not  less  than  12  inches  thick, 
increasing  four  inches  in  thickness  for  each  three  stories  or  fraction 
thereof  below.  E"o  three-story  increment  shall  exceed  45  feet  in 
height. 

4.  Table  indicating  minimum  thickness  of  walls  in  accordance 
with  above  requirements  : 


Dwelling  House  Class. 

Brick  Bearing  Walls. 

Stories.  123456789  10 

1 12  . . * . . . . 

2 12  12 

3  12  12  12 

4  16  12  12  12 

5  16  16  12  12  12 

6 16  16  16  12  12  12  

7 20  16  16  16  12  12  12  

8  20  20  16  16  16  12  12  12  . . 

9  20  20  20  16  16  16  12  12  12 

10  24  20  20  20  16  16  16  12  12  12 


5.  Walls  for  Warehouse  Class . — The  expression,  “walls  for  ware- 
house class,”  shall  be  taken  to  mean  and  include  walls  for  all  build- 
ings specified  under  Classes  A,  B,  E,  and  F,  in  Section  267,  as  well 
as  all  other  buildings  used  for  similar  purposes. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


43 


Excepting  party  and  fire  walls,  brick  bearing  walls  for  all  build- 
ings of  this  class,  not  exceeding  five  stories,  or  65  feet,  in  height, 
shall  have  the  upper  two  stories  not  less  than  12  inches  thick,  in- 
creasing four  inches  in  thickness  for  each  two  stories  or  fraction 
thereof  below.  For  such  buildings  in  excess  of  five  stories,  but  not 
exceeding  ten  stories,  or  125  feet,  in  height,  the  top  story  shall  be  not 
less  than  12  inches  thick,  increasing  4 inches  in'  thickness  for  each 
two  stories  or  fraction  thereof  below.  No  two-story  increment  shall 
exceed  30  feet  in  height. 

6.  Table  indicating  minimum  thickness  of  walls  in  accordance 
with  above  requirements. 


Warehouse  Class. 
Brick  Bearing  Walls . 


Stories. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

1 

12 

2 

12 

12 

3 

16 

12 

12 

4 

16 

16 

12 

12 

5 

20 

16 

16 

12 

12 

6 

24 

20 

20 

16 

16 

12 

7 

24 

24 

20 

20 

16 

16 

12 

8 

28 

24 

24 

20 

20 

16 

16 

12 

9 

28 

28 

24 

24 

20 

20 

16 

16 

12 

10 

32 

28 

28 

24 

24 

20 

20 

16 

16 

12 

7.  In  all  buildings,  except  dwellings,  brick  party  walls  and  fire 
walls  which  serve  as  bearing  walls  on  both  sides,  shall  be  not  less  than 
16  inches  thick  in  the  upper  two  stories  or  upper  30  feet,  increasing 
four  inches  in  thickness  for  each  two  stories  or  fraction  thereof 
below. 

8.  The  height  of  a wall  between  lateral  supports  shall  not  ex- 
ceed fifteen  times  its  thickness  unless  strengthened  by  piers  or  cross 
walls. 

9.  When  the  clear  span  of  a floor  is  greater  than  25  feet  in  build- 
ings of  Classes  A.  B,  E,  and  F,  and  greater  than  26  feet  in  buildings 
of  Classes  C and  D,  the  thickness  of  bearing  walls  shall  be  increased 
four  inches  over  that  specified  in  the  foregoing  tables  for  every  12% 
feet  or  fraction  thereof  that  the  said  span  exceeds  2$  feet  for  build- 
ings of  Classes  A,  B,  E,  and  E,  or  26  feet  for  Classes  C and  D;  or 
shall  have  in  lieu  of  this  increase  of  thickness,  equivalent  piers  or 
buttresses. 


44 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


10.  If  any  horizontal  section  through  a hearing  wall  shows-  more 
than  30  per  cent  area  of  flues  and  openings  in  a wall  laid  up  in  lime, 
or  lime  and  cement  mortar,  or  45  per  cent  in  a wall  laid  up  in  Port- 
land cement  mortar,  the  said  wall  shall  be  increased  a thickness  of 
four  inches  for  every  15  per  cent  or  fraction  thereof  for  which  the 
total  area  of  flues  and  openings  exceed  30  per  cent  or  45  per  cent 
The  total  area  of  openings  and  flues  in  any  bearing  wall  shall  not 
in  any  case  exceed  60  per  cent,  provided  that  the  allowable  stresses 
shall  not  be  exceeded. 

11.  In  all  buildings,  Avails  12  inches  thick,  and  over  60  feet  in 
length;  and  walls  16  inches  thick  which  are  over  100  feet  in  length, 
shall  be  four  inches  thicker  throughout  than  is  required  by  this  Code, 
unless  they  are  properly  braced  by  cross  walls,  pilasters,  or  buttresses. 

12.  The  thickness  of  non-bearing  walls  may  be  four  inches  less 
than  that  of  bearing  walls,  provided  that  no  non-bearing  wall  is  less 
than  12  inches  thick  except  it  be  of  reinforced  concrete. 

13.  In  no  case  shall  the  thickness  at  the  bottom  of  masonry  re- 
taining walls  be  less  than  one-quarter  the  height  of  the  Avail  unless 
reinforced  in  an  approved  manner. 

14.  Brick  or  concrete  walls  for  buildings  outside  the  fire  limits, 
which  under  this  ordinance  could  be  of  wood,  may  have  a minimum 
thickness  of  eight  inches.  Such  walls  shall  not  exceed  two  stories, 
or  24  feet,  in  height,  exclusive  of  gables,  and  shall  be  properly  braced 
by  cross  walls,  piers,  or  buttresses,  not  less  than  16  feet  apart,  and  if 
of  brick,  to  be  laid  in  cement  mortar  with  metal  or  other  similar 
approved  cross  bonding  material  and  no  brick  header  bond  shall  be 
used  in  such  exterior  walls. 

Idem . 

283.  Panel  or  Enclosure  Walls  for  Skeleton  Construction. — In 
skeleton  construction  the  panel  walls  shall  be  supported  by  girders 
at  each  floor  level,  and  if  of  brick,  shall  be  not  less  than  12  inches 
thick,  laid  in  cement  mortar.  When  the  vertical  distance  betAveen 
supporting  girders  exceeds  15  feet  the  thickness  of  the  wall  shall  be 
increased  four  inches  for  each  15  feet  or  fraction  thereof  that  the 
said  vertical  distance  exceeds  15  feet.  Such  walls  shall  be  of  brick, 
stone  or  gravel  concrete,  or  hard  burned  terra  cotta. 

Idem. 

284.  Curtain  Walls. — Curtain  walls  over  three  stories,  or  50  feet, 
in  height  shall  be  laid  in  cement  mortar,  and  shall  be  not  less  than 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


45 


12  inches  thick  for  the  uppermost  50  feet  thereof,  or  nearest  tier  of 
beams  to  that  height,  and  increased  four  inches  for  every  additional 
section  of  three  stories,  or  45  feet,  or  nearest  tier  of  beams  to  that 
height.  When  such  walls  are  used,  the  foundation  of  the  buildings 
shall  be  so  designed  that  the  load  from  the  columns  and  the  load  of 
the  walls  are  carried  together.  Curtain  walls  shall  be  anchored  to 
the  steel  framing-  at  each  floor  level,  the  anchors  being  spaced  not 
farther  apart  than  six  feet  horizontally. 

Idem . 

285.  Fire  Walls. 

1.  Fire  walls  shall  be  built  of  brick  laid’ in  Portland  cement  mor- 
tar, or  of  reinforced  concrete.  In  fireproof  buildings,  brick  fire  walls 
supported  by  girders  at  each  story,  may  be  12  inches  thick  through- 
out. In  non-fireproof  buildings,  brick  fire  walls  which  do  not  serve 
as  bearing  walls  shall  be  not  less  than  16  inches  thick  in  the  upper 
four  stories,  or  upper  50  feet,  increasing  four  inches  in  thickness  for 
each  two  stories  or  fraction  thereof  below.  ~No  such  two-story  in- 
crement shall  exceed  30  feet-  in  height.  In  frame  buildings  used’ 
for  manufacturing  or  commercial  purposes,  and  not  exceeding  two 
stories,  or  30  feet  in  height,  non-bearing  fire  walls  shall  be  not  less 
than  12  inches  thick. 

2.  Every  opening  in  a fire  wall  or  a party  wall,  shall  be  pro- 
tected on  each  side  of  the  wall  by  an  approved  automatic  fire  door. 
ISTo  opening  in  any  such  wall  shall  exceed  80  square  feet  in  area,  ex- 
cept that  by  written  permission  of  the  Supervisor,  a larger  opening 
may  be  had  upon  the  ground  floor  only ; but  special  precautions  shall 
be  taken  to  protect  such  opening,  and  in  no  case  shall  the  total  width 
of  openings  in  any  one  story,  other  than  the  first  story,  exceed  25 
per  cent  in  linear  length  of  the  wall.  Fire  and  party  walls  shall  be 
continuous  from  foundation  to  three  feet  above  roof  level  and  be 
coped,  except  that  such  walls  in  fireproof  buildings  need  not  extend 
above  the  top  of  the  roof  beams. 

3.  When  three  or  more  buildings  used  for  stores,  factories  or 
warehouses,  communicate  by  openings  through  separating  fire  walls, 
the  openings  shall  be  protected  by  double  fire  doors,  and  each  building 
shall  also  be  provided  with  a system  of  approved  automatic  sprinklers. 

4.  If  an  opening  in  a fire  wall  is  made  to  serve  as  an  emergency 
or  horizontal  exit,  and  is  included  in  the  calculations  for  exits,  it  shall 
not  exceed  48  square  feet  in  area,  and  a self-closing  fire  door  shall  be 
substituted  for  one  of  the  automatic  fire  doors.  The  automatic  door 


46 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


shall  be  controlled  by  an  approved  automatic  door  release  on  each 
side  of  the  wall. 

Idem. 

286.  Parapet  Walls. — All  exterior  or  party  walls  over  20  feet 
high,  except  where  such  walls  are  finished  as  cornices,  gutters,  or 
crown  mouldings,  excepting  also  the  walls  of  detached  dwellings  with 
peaked  or  hipped  roofs,  shall  be  furnished  with  parapets.  Parapet 
walls  shall  be  the  full  thickness  of  the  top  story  walls  and  shall  pro- 
ject at  least  three  feet  above  the  roof  at  all  points,  except  that  on 
dwellings  the  parapets  may  be  reduced  to  two  feet.  All  parapet  walls 
shall  be  coped  with  approved  durable  material. 

Idem. 

287.  Hollow  Building  Bloch  Walls. 

1.  Hollow  building  blocks  of  hard  burned  terra  cotta  or  of  con- 
crete may  be  used  for  all  walls,  except  party  and  fire  walls,  of  build^ 
ings  not  exceeding  three  stories,  or  40  feet,  in  height,  provided  that 
such  blocks  have  met  the  test  requirements  of  Section  320,  and  are 
not  stressed  beyond  the  safe  limits  therein  prescribed.  The  minimum 
thickness  of  such  walls  shall  be  as  required  for  brick  walls. 

2.  Concrete  blocks  shall  not  be  used  in  construction  until  they 
have  attained  an  age  of  28  days,  nor  until  they  have  developed  the 
required  test  strength.  All  building  blocks  shall  be  laid  in  Portland 
cement  mortar. 

3.  If  a wall  be  built  of  blocks  laid  with  the  cells  horizontal, 
which  were  designed  to  be  normally  laid  with  the  cells  vertical,  or 
if  band  courses  of  such  blocks  with  cells  horizontal  be  laid  in  a wall 
otherwise  built  of  the  same  blocks  w7ith  the  cells  vertical,  the  carrying 
capacity  of  such  walls  shall  be  calculated  from  the  strength  of  the 
blocks  tested  with  their  cells  horizontal. 

4.  Hollow  Terra  cotta  blocks  in  exterior  walls  shall  be  either 
extra  hard  burned  or  be  veneered  with  brick,  architectural  terra  cotta, 
or  stone,  securely  bonded  and  set  as  provided  in  Section  277,  paragraph 
8,  or  the  blocks  shall  be  covered  on  the  exposed  surface  with  at  least 
%-inch  of  Portland  cement  stucco ; such  blocks  shall  be  well  scored, 
grooved  or  roughened  to  retain  the  coating.  The  stucco  shall  not  be 
considered  as  a part  of  the  required  thickness  of  the  wall. 

5.  When  hollow  block  walls,  laid  with  cells  vertical,  are  decreased 
in  thickness,  the  blocks  in  the  top  course  of  the  thicker  wall  shall  be 
filled  solidly  with  concrete,  or  the  exposed  openings  in  such  top  course 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


47 


may  be  covered  with  slabs  of  hard  burned  terra  cotta  or  concrete  at 
least  one  inch  in  thickness.  Terra  cotta,  concrete  or  metal  slabs  or 
templates  of  approved  size  and  thickness  shall  be  placed  under  all 
floor  beams  and  girders  as  bearing  plates  in  order  that,  the  allowable 
working  stresses  sha^l  not  be  exceeded. 

6.  Building  blocks  shall  be  so  laid  that  the  shells  and  webs  shall 
be  superposed  upon  the  shells  or  webs  of  the  ad'jacent  block  or  blocks 
below. 

7.  Hollow  blocks  when  used  to  form  lintels,  which  are  not  keyed 
arches,  shall  be  reinforced  vdth  steel  rods,  and  be  filled  solidly  with 
concrete.  Such  lintels  shall  be  designed  in  accordance  with  the  same 
stresses  and  other  requirements  for  reinforced  concrete  as  required  in 
Section  382. 

8.  Except  for  party  or  fire  walls,  hard  burned  terra  cotta  blocks 
may  be  used  for  walls  of  skeleton  construction  having  a height  not 
exceeding  four  stories,  or  55  feet.  The  thickness  shall  be  the  same 
as  required  for  brick  avails. 

Terra  cotta  blocks  faced  with  brick  bonded  in  the  manner  specified 
in  the  last  half  of  paragraph  8,  Section  277,  may  be  used  for  walls  of 
skeleton  construction  to  a height  of  10  stories,  or  125  feet. 

Idem. 

288.  Existing  Walls. 

1.  Where  an  existing  party  wall  is  to  be  incorporated  in  a new 
building  of  skeleton  or  curtain  wall  construction,  the  vertical  exten- 
sion of  the  existing  party  wall  shall  be  supported  entirely  by  columns 
and  girders  and  not  by  the  party  wall  below,  except  that  such  exist- 
ing party  wall  may  be  extended  vertically  to  the  height  permitted  by 
this  Code  for  its  existing  thickness. 

2.  Should  it  be  desired  to  increase  the  height  of  other  existing 
•party  or  independent  walls,  which  are  less  in  thickness  than  required 
under  this  Code,  this  shall  be  done  by  lining  with  brickwork  to  form 
a combined  thickness  with  the  old  wall  of  not  less  than  four  inches 
more  than  the  thickness  required  for  a new  wall  corresponding  with 
the  total  height  of  the  wall  when  so  increased  in  height.  Such  lining 
shall  be  supported  on  proper  foundations  and  carried  up  to  full  height. 
All  linings  shall  be  at  least  eight  inches  in  thickness,  laid  up  in  cement 
mortar,  bond'ed  with  4-inch  by  16-inch  Brick  toothing  projecting  four 
inches  into  the  old  wTall  at  least  every  seven  feet,  both  horizontally  and 
vertically,  and  shall  be  thoroughly  anchored  to  the  old  brick  walls  with 
suitable  wrought  iron  or  steel  anchors,  placed  two  feet  apart  and 


48 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


properly  anchored  into  the  old  walls  by  through  bolts  or  by  expansion 
bolts  set  in  cement  or  by  other  approved  method.  The  anchors  shall 
be  placed  in  rows,  alternating  vertically  and  horizontally  with  each 
other,  the  old  walls  being  first  cleaned  of  plaster  or  other  coatings 
where  any  lining  is  to  be  built  against  the  same.  Ho  wall  shall  be 
lined  unless  in  good  condition. 

Idem. 

289.  Furred  Walls  cmd  Hollow  Walls. 

1.  The  inside  four  inches  of  all  walls  may  be  built  of  hard  burned 
hollow  brick,  the  dimensions  of  ordinary  brick,  properly  tied  and 
bonded  into  the  walls.  Terra  cotta,  concrete,  or  gypsum  tile  or  blocks 
used  as  lining  or  furring  shall  not  be  considered  as  forming  part 
of  the  required1  thickness  of  any  wall. 

2.  In  all  hollow  walls  of  stone,  brick,  or  concrete,  the  same  net 
horizontal  section  shall  be  used  as  if  they  were  solid.  The  parts  of 
hollow  walls  shall  be  connected  by  approved  ties  of  brick,  stone,  or 
metal,  placed  not  over  24  inches  apart  horizontally  and  vertically. 
Metal  ties  shall  have  the  ends  bent  at  right  angles,  and  be  not  less 
than  one  inch  wide  by  ^-inch  thick,  and  shall  extend  into  the  wall 
on  each  side  not  less  than  four  inches. 

Idem. 

290.  Recesses  and  Chases  in  Walls. 

1.  Recesses  for  stairways  or  elevators  may  be  located  within  the 
required  thickness  of  foundations  or  cellar  walls,  provided  the  walls 
are  not  thereby  reduced  to  a less  thickness  than  that  required  for  a 
fourth  story  wall.  Reinforcements  shall  be  supplied  where  neces- 
sary to  compensate  for  the  diminished  thickness. 

The  brick  backing  of  recesses  for  alcoves  and  similar  spaces  shall 
be  not  less  than  eight  inches  thick. 

2.  Ho  pipe  chases  shall  extend  into  any  wall  more  than  one-third 
of  its  required  thickness.  Ho  horizontal  chase  or  recess  shall  exceed 
four  feet  in  length  in  any  wall. 

Chases  shall  not  be  permitted  within  the  required  area  of  any 
pier.  Chases  or  recesses  in  walls  built  of  hollow  blocks  shall  not  be 
formed  by  cutting  of  blocks,  or  by  other  method  which  would  impair 
the  strength  of  the  wall. 

Heat  fitting  metal  sleeves,  or  asbestos  covering,  shall  be  provided 
around  pipes  at  each  floor  level,  and  the  chases  at  these  levels  shall 
be  filled  with  solid  masonry  for  the  space  of  one  foot  in  height. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


49 


291.  Arches  and  Lintels. 

1.  Openings  for  doors  and  windows  shall  have  arches  or  lin- 
tels of  masonry  or  metal,  which  shall  have  a bearing  at  each  end  of 
not  less  than  6 inches  on  the  wall.  Bearing  plates  shall  be  provided 
for  lintels  resting  on  walls  where  the  span  is  more  than  6 feet.  Tie 
rods  shall  be  used  in  all  arches  where  necessary  to  resist  the  thrust, 
and  when  steel  or  metal  is  used  for  lintels  it  shall  be  so  arranged  as 
to  support  the  entire  thickness  of  the  wall. 

2.  On  the  inside  of  openings  less  than  4 feet  in  width  in  walls 
of  non-fireproof  buildings  in  which  lintels  or  arches  may  be  less  than 
the  thickness  of  the  Avail  to  be  supported,  timber  segments  may  be 
permitted  which  shall  rest  at  each  end  not  more  than  2 inches  on  any 
Avail,  and  be  cut  to  serve  as  center  for  a rowlock  or  keyed  arch.  Brick 
arches  5 feet  wide  and  under  shall  not  be  less  than  8 inches  high. 

Idem. 

292.  Walls  of  Unfinished  Buildings. — Any  building,  the  erec- 
tion of  which  was  commenced  in  accordance  with  specifications  and 
plans  submitted  to  and  approved  by  the  Supervisor  prior  to  the  pas- 
sage of  this  Code,  if  properly  constructed,  and  in  safe  condition,  may 
be  completed  or  built  upon  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of 
laAv  as  to  thickness  of  Avails  in  force  at  the  time  when  such  specifi- 
cations and  plans  were  approved. 

Idem. 


PART  X. 


Heights  and  Areas. 

293.  Heights  of  Buildings. 

1.  Hio  building  or  structure  hereafter  erected,  except  church  spires, 
water  towers,  smoke  stacks  or  chimneys,  shall  exceed  in  height  tAvo 
and  one-half  times  the  Avidth  of  the  widest  street  upon  which  it 
fronts,  nor  shall  it  exceed  the  folloAving  limits. 

Height  in  Height  in 
Stories.  feet. 

Frame  buildings  used  for  purposes  other  than 

dAvellings  and  tenements  2 30 

Frame  dwellings  and  tenements  occupied  by  not 
more  than  two  families 


2% 


30 


50 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Frame  dwellings  occupied  by  not  more  than  one 


family  3 35 

Frame  dwellings  having  bearing  walls  of  hollow 

terra  cotta  or  concrete  blocks 3 40 

^on-fireproof  buildings,  ordinary  construction.  .4  55 

Non-fir eproof  buildings,  mill  construction. 5 65 

Fireproof  buildings  used  for  factories,  stores, 

warehouses  or  workshops 7 85 

Fireproof  buildings  used  for  purposes  other  than 


factories,  stores,  warehouses  or  workshops.  ...  10  125 

2.  If  a single  story  building  exceeds  30  feet  in  height  the  roof 
shall  be  constructed  entirely  of  incombustible  materials,  and  all  metal 
framework  of  same  shall  be  protected  with  fireproofing,  except  as 
provided  in  Section  267,  paragraph  2. 

3.  A single  story  building  not  exceeding  30  feet  in  height  may 
have  a roof  monitor  not  exceeding  10  feet  in  height. 

4.  No  story  of  any  building  above  the  first  story  shall  exceed  15 
feet  in  height. 

Idem. 


294.  Allowable  Floor  Areas. 

1.  In  every  building  of  the  character  named  in  this  section  the 
maximum  area  of  any  floor  between  fire  walls  or  exterior  walls,  either 
without  or  with  a full  equipment  of  automatic  sprinklers,  shall  be  as 
follows : 


2.  Non-Fire  proof  Construction. 

(a)  Tenement  houses,  3,000  square  feet. 

(b)  All  other  ordinary  non-fireproof  buildings,  height  not 
exceeding  55  feet. 


Fronting  on 

One  street 

Two  streets  

Three  or  more  streets 


Without 

Sprinklers. 

5.000  sq.  feet 

6.000  sq.  feet 
7,500  sq.  feet 


With  Sprinklers , 
increase  of 
66  2/3  per  cent 
8,333  sq.  feet 
10,000  sq.  feet 
12,500  sq.  feet 


(c)  Mill  construction  buildings,  height  limit,  65  feet. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


51 


With  Sprinklers, 
Without  increase  of 

Fronting  on  Sprinklers.  100  per  cent. 

One  street  6,500  sq.  feet  13,000  sq.  feet 

Two  streets 8,000  sq.  feet  16,000  sq.  feet 

Three  or  more  streets 10,000  sq.  feet  20,000  sq.  feet 


3.  Fireproof  Construction. 

(a)  All  buildings  of  Classes  A,  B,  C,  and  D ; light  and  power 
stations;  office  buildings:  Xo  restrictions  as  to  area. 

(b)  All  other  buildings  not  exceeding  65  feet  in  height. 


With  Sprinklers, 
Without  increase  of 

Fronting  on  Sprinklers.  66  2/3  per  cent. 

One  street 10,000  sq.  feet  16,666  sq.  feet 

Two  streets  12,000  sq.  feet  20,000  sq.  feet 

Three  or  more  streets 15,000  sq.  feet  25,000  sq.  feet 


(c)  Stores,  warehouses,  factories  and  workshops  not  exceed- 
ing 85  feet;  and  other  buildings  not  exceeding  125  feet 
in  height.  With  Sprinklers, 

Without  increase  of 

Fronting  on  Sprinklers.  50  per  cent . 

One  street 7,500  sq.  feet  11,250  sq.  feet 

Two  streets 10,000  sq.  feet  15,000  sq.  feet 

Three  or  more  streets 12,500  sq.  feet  18,750  sq.  feet 


(d)  The  first  floor  only  of  any  fireproof  building  occupied  as 
a store  may  have  an  area  of  20,000  sq.  ft.,  and  if  fully  protected  by 
approved  automatic  sprinklers  may  be  increased  50  per  cent,  or  have 
a maximum  area  of  30,000  sq.  ft. 

Idem. 


PART  XI. 


Allowable  Loads. 

295.  Floor  Loads. 

1.  Each  floor  of  every  building  shall  be  of  sufficient  strength  in 
all  its  parts  to  bear  safely  the  weight  to  be  imposed  thereon,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  weight  of  the  floor  itself.  It  shall  safely  support  a mimi- 
mum  live  load  per  square  foot  of  area  as  specified  in  the  following 
table : 


52 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Live  Loads. 

*. Pounds  per  square  foot. 


Ground  and 
Lower  Floors. 


Class  of  Building 
Foundries,  light  and  power  plants,  printing 
and  lithographing  houses,  railroad  freight 

depots  250 

Warehouses  • 200 

Car  barns,  garages  150 

Fire  houses  150 

Armories,  ball  rooms,  dance  halls,  exhibition 
buildings,  factories,  gymnasiums,  work- 
shops, lofts,  markets,  stables,  stores,  public 

halls,  restaurants  120 

Railway  passenger  stations 120 

Office  buildings 120 

Court  Houses  100 

Churches,  libraries,  museums,  theatres 90 

Schools  and  colleges 90 

Asylums,  bath  houses,  club  houses,  detention 
buildings,  dormitories,  hospitals,  hotels, 
lodge  rooms,  lodging  houses,  studios  . . 


Tenement  houses  and  dwellings, 


90 

60 


Upper 

Floors. 


250 

200 

120 

60 


120 

90 

75 

100 

90 

75 


60 

40 


2.  Any  floor  beam  in  a building  of  Class  E shall  be  capable  of 
sustaining  a live  load  at  its  center  of  at  least  4,000  pounds. 

3.  No  safe  shall  be  placed  on  a stair  landing  or  in  a stair  hall, 
nor  shall  its  weight  be  carried  by  any  beam  which  also  carries  the 
floor  of  any  stair  landing  or  stair  hall. 

Idem. 


296.  Roof  Loads. — Every  roof  with  a pitch  of  less  than  20  de- 
grees with  the  horizontal,  shall  be  proportioned  to  bear  safely  a live 
load  of  30  pounds  per  square  foot  of  surface.  If  the  pitch  be  more 
than  20  degrees,  the  live  load  shall  be  assumed  to  be  20  pounds  per 
square  foot  measured  on  a horizontal  plane. 

Idem. 

297.  Column  Loads. 

1.  Every  column,  post  or  other  vertical  support  shall  be  of  suf- 
fficient  strength  to  bear  safely  the  combined  live  and  dead  loads  trans- 
mitted to  it. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


53 


2.  In  buildings  more  than  five  stories  in  height,  the  following 
reductions  are  permissible:  For  columns  supporting  roof  and  top 
floor,  no  reduction;  for  columns  supporting  each  succeeding  floor,  a 
reduction  of  5 per  cent,  of  the  total  live  load  per  floor  may  be  made, 
but  the  total  deduction  shall  not  exceed  50  per  cent. 

3.  Ho  reduction  of  live  load  on  columns  shall  be  permitted  in 
buildings  where  the  assumed  floor  load  is  more  than  120  pounds  per 
square  foot  and  is  likely  to  be  permanent  in  character  as  in  ware- 
houses, printing  houses,  machine  shops,  etc. 

4.  For  structures  carrying  machinery,  such  as  cranes,  conveyors, 
printing  presses,  etc.,  at  least  25  per  cent  shall  be  added  to  the  stresses 
from  live  loads  to  provide  for  effect  of  impact  and  vibrations. 

Idem. 

298.  Sidewalk  Loads. — For  sidewalks  between  the  curb  and 
building  lines,  live  loads  shall  be  taken  at  500  pounds  per  square 
foot  or  a concentrated  load  of  5 tons  at  any  point. 

Idem. 

299.  Strength  of  Existing  Floors  to  be  Computed. — In  every  ex- 
isting building  of  Classes  E and  F,  erected  and  occupied  before  the 
adoption  of  this  Code,  the  weight  that  each  floor  will  safely  sustain 
shall  be  computed  by  a competent  person  employed  by  the  owner  or 
occupant.  Such  computations  shall  be  filed  with  the  Supervisor  with 
an  affidavit  by  the  person  making  the  same,  in  such  manner  as  the 
Supervisor  may  direct,  and  shall  give  full  information  on  which  the 
computations  are  based.  When  the  safe  live  loads  on  any  existing 
floor  thus  ascertained  has  been  approved  by  the  Supervisor  he  shall 
post  one  or  more  copies  of  such  approved  live  load  in  such  conspicu- 
ous place  or  places  on  each  story  as  may  be  designated  by  the  Super- 
visor and  no  floor  shall  be  loaded  in  excess  of  the  safe  allowances 
mentioned  in  said  posted  copy. 

Idem. 


PART  XII. 


Means  of  Egress. 

300.  Number  and  Width  of  Exits  and  Doors. 

1.  Every  building,  except  dwellings,  and  every  story  in  each 
building  above  the  first,  shall  have  at  least  two  means  of  exit  remote 


54 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


from  each  other ; one  of  these  shall  open  to  a street  or  fireproof  pas- 
sage leading  to  a street,  and  one  may  open  to  a yard  or  other  space 
deemed  safe  by  the  Supervisor  and  of  sufficient  area  to  accommodate 
all  persons  in  the  building.  Two  means  of  exit  remote  from  each 
other  shall  be  provided  from  each  story  of  dwellings  when  over  2 
stories  in  height. 

2.  In  every  building  except  buildings  of  Class  D,  all  required 
exit  doors  in  the  first  story,  including  the  doors  of  vestibules,  shall 
open  outwards.  Provided  this  requirement  shall  not  prohibit  the 
use  of  doors  which  swing  both  inwards  and  outwards,  nor  of  sliding 
or  rolling  doors  in  stables,  garages, storerooms,  and  the  shipping  and 
receiving  rooms  of  manufacturing,  mercantile  and  industrial  build- 
ings, where  conditions  make  such  necessary. 

3.  When  exit  doorways  have  a clear  wfidth  of  at  least  40  inches 
each,  the  aggregate  widths  of  such  doorways  shall  be  equal  to  the 
required  width  of  corridor  or  stairway  served  by  same.  When  indi- 
vidual doors  are  less  than  40  inches  wide,  there  shall  be  one  door- 
way for  each  22  inches  of  required  width  of  corridor  or  stairway 
leading  to  same.  Every  doorway  shall  be  at  least  35  inches  wide  in 
the  clear.  All  passageway  exit  doors  shall  swing  in  the  direction  of 
exit  travel,  except  in  case  of  horizontal  exits  where  direction  of  travel 
may  be  indeterminate. 

4.  The  opening  of  one  door  shall  not  be  permitted  to  obstruct 
another,  and  the  arc  of  opening  of  doors  which  open  upon  stairway 
landings  or  platforms  shall  not  reduce  the  width  of  the  passageway 
to  less  than  the  required  width  of  the  stairs. 

5.  Every  room  having  an  occupancy  of  more  than  75  persons 
shall  have  at  least  two  doorways  not  less  than  5 feet  in  the  clear  re- 
mote from  each  other  leading  to  exits. 

6.  Hallways  or  corridors  at  the  street  or  court  level  furnishing 
exit  from  stairways,  shall  be  not  less  in  width  than  the  aggregate 
width  of  the  required  stairways  which  they  serve.  Every  hallway  or 
corridor  which  may  serve  as  an  exit  for  50  or  more  persons,  shall 
have  at  least  60  inches  of  width  for  the  first  50  persons  and  12  inches 
additional  -for  each  additional  50  persons  to  be  accommodated 
thereby.  This  computation  shall  be  based  on  the  number  of  persons 
in  the  story  having  the  largest  occupancy  served  by  said  corridor  and 
kept  free  from  obstructions  of  any  character. 

7.  At  all  times  when  any  loft  or  space  is  occupied  for  manufac- 
turing or  mercantile  purposes,  the  fastenings  or  locks  on  exit  doors 
shall  be  such  as  may  be  easily  opened  from  the  inside  without  the  use 
of  keys. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


55 


8.  A metal  and  glass  box  using  green  glass  marked  “EXIT”  in 
letters  not  less  than  6 inches  in  height  and  body  of  letters  1 inch 
wide,  shall  be  placed  over  all  exits  in  the  above  specified  buildings. 
The  elevators  shall  be  provided  with  similar  signs  marked  “ELE- 
VATOR.” Such  signs  shall  be  illuminated  when  necessary  by  means 
of  artificial  lighting.  The  color  of  such  letters  shall  be  green. 

9.  Elevators,  escalators  and  revolving  doors  shall  not  be  consid- 
ered in  calculating  exit  requirements  excepting  such  revolving  doors 
as  are  automatically  collapsible. 

10.  Entrances  and  doors  in  tenement  houses,  theatres,  motion 
picture  theatres,  and  places  of  public  or  private  entertainments,  shall 
be  as  elsewhere  provided  in  this  Code. 

Idem. 

301.  Stairs  and  Stainvays , Construction  of. 

1.  All  buildings  which  are  used  above  the  first  floor  for  manufac- 
turing or  business  purposes,  or  for  public  assemblage,  or  for  any 
purpose  whatever  if  five  stories  or  more,  or#  60  feet  high,  except  armo- 
ries, courthouses,  dwellings,  fire  houses,  jails,  libraries,  museums,  po- 
lice stations,  prisons,  railway  stations  and  similar  buildings,  shall 
preferably  have  the  required  stair  shafts  separately  and  continu- 
ously enclosed,  as  specified  in  Sections  353  and  356.  In  fireproof 
buildings  all  stairs,  platforms,  landings,  and  stair  hallways,  includ- 
ing the  flooring,  shall  be  of  fireproof  construction.  Storage  of  com- 
bustible material  is  prohibited  within  the  stairway  enclosure. 

2.  All  stairs,  platforms,  landings,  balconies  and  stair  hallways, 
shall  be  of  sufficient  strength  to  sustain  safely  a live  load  of  not  less 
than  100  pounds  per  square  foot  for  interior  construction,  and  150 
pounds  per  square  foot  for  exterior  construction,  with  a factor  of 
safety  of  4 in  each  case ; and  except  in  dwellings  shall  conform  to  all 
the  requirements  of  this  section  as  to  hand  rails,  newels,  landings, 
widths,  exits,  and  prohibition  against  winding  treads.  The  space 
beneath  any  stairway  built  in  whole  or  in  part  of  combustible  ma- 
terial shall  be  left  entirely  open  or  be  completely  enclosed  without 
door  or  other  opening. 

3.  Xo  stories  in  any  building  shall  be  connected  by  an  open  shaft 
or  stairway  except  dwellings  and  buildings  mentioned  in  paragraph 
1 ; also  theatres  as  provided  in  Section  489. 

4.  Stairways  used  as  required  means  of  exit  shall  be  at  least  48 
inches  wide  between  faces  of  walls,  or  44  inches  wide  between  face 
of  wall  and  an  open  balustrade,  or  between  two  open  balustrades. 


56 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


All  such  widths  shall  be  clear  of  all  obstructions  except  that  hand 
rails  attached  to  walls  may  project  not  more  than  3%  inches  within 
them.  If  newels  project  above  tops  of  rails,  a clear  width  of  at  least 
44  inches  shall  he  provided  between  the  faces  of  the  newel  and  the 
face  of  the  wall  or  newel  opposite.  All  stairs  shall  have  walls  or  well 
secured  balustrades  or  guards  on  both  sides,  and  except  in  dwellings, 
shall  have  hand  rails  on  both  sides.  A stairway  of  7 feet  or  more  in 
width  shall  be  provided  with  a continuous  intermediate  hand  rail 
substantially  supported.  All  stairs  shall  have  treads  and  risers  of 
uniform  width  and  height  throughout  each  flight;  the  rise  shall  be 
not  more  than  7*4  inches,  and  the  tread  exclusive  of  the  nosing  not 
less  than  9%  inches.  Stairways  exceeding  12  feet  in  height  shall 
have  an  intermediate  landing. 

Buildings  in  which  there  may  be  a congregation  of  people  for 
civic,  political,  educational,  religious  or  amusement  purposes,  except 
as  provided  for  theatres  in  Section  486  and  in  those  used  for  the  care 
or  treatment  of  persons,  all  stairs  exceeding  8 feet  in  height  shall  have 
an  intermediate  landing.  All  landings  shall  be  at  least  3 feet  in 
length. 

5.  No  arrangement  of  treads  known  as  winders  shall  be  permitted 
in  required  stairways  between  the  level  of  thex  top  floor  and  the 
street. 

6.  Whenever  the  treads  or  landings  are  of  slate,  marble,  stone, 
or  composition,  they  shall  be  supported  for  their  entire  length  and 
width  by  a solid  metal  plate  at  least  %-inch  thick,  securely  fastened. 
If  stairs  are  of  incombustible  material,  other  than  metal,  and  treads 
and  landings  are  each  solidly  supported  for  their  entire  length  and 
width  by  masonry,  metal  supports  for  treads  may  be  omitted. 

7.  All  stairways  that  serve  as  required  means  of  exit  for  one  or 
more  of  the  upper  four  stories  of  every  building  shall  be  continued 
their  full  width  to  the  roof,  and  shall  lead  by  a direct  line  of  travel 
to  the  first  story,  and  open  directly  on  the  street,  or  to  an  open-air  or 
fireproof  passage  leading  to  the  street,  or  to  a yard  or  court  connected 
with  the  street.  Such  fireproof  passage  shall  be  not  less  than  7 feet 

# in  height. 

8.  The  continuity  of  all  stairs  which  may  be  used  for  exit  pur- 
poses, shall  be  interrupted  at  street  level  by  partitions  or  doors  or 
other  means  which  will  indicate  the  main  floor  level  and  make  clear 
the  direction  of  egress  to  the  street. 

9.  Every  enclosed  stairway  shall  be  provided  with  an  adequate 
system  of  lighting,  arranged  to  insure  reliable  operation  when  through 
accident  or  other  causes  the  regular  lighting  is  extinguished. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


57 


10.  All  required  stairways  shall  be  constructed  in  one  of  the  fol- 
lowing three  ways,  and  shall  be  known  as  stair  exits : 

(b)  Smokeproof  Tower. — The  stairs,  landings,  and  balconies 
or  platforms,  shall  be  solid  and  completely  enclosed  as  required  for 
interior  stairways  in  Section  353  and  shall  extend  from  the  sidewalk, 
court,  or  yard  level  to  and  above  the  roof  to  form  a bulkhead.  There 
shall  be  no  openings  in  any  wall  separating  the  stairway  from  the 
building,  but  fixed  or  automatic  fire-windows  sufficient  for  lighting 
purposes  are  not  objectionable'  in  the  extreme  walls,  provided  they 
are  not  subject  to  fire  exposure  hazard  from  the  same  or  nearby  build- 
ings. Access  shall  be  provided  to  the  stairway  from  every  story  of 
the  building  by  outside  balconies  of  steel  or  masonry,  or  by  vesti- 
bules within  the  walls  of  the  building  but  open  on  at  least  one  side. 
Every  such  balcony  or  vestibule  shall  have  an  unobstructed  width  of 
at  least  44  inches,  and  shall  open  upon  an  open  space  not  less  than 
100  square  feet  in  area.  The  balcony  or  vestibule  shall  be  provided 
with  a solid  incombustible  floor.  Railings  of  steel,  or  other  approved 
incombustible  material,  shall  be  provided  not  less  than  4 feet  high. 
Access  to  the  balcony  or  vestibule  from  the  building  and  to  the  stair- 
ways from  the  balcony  or  vestibule  shall  be  by  approved  self-closing 
fire  doors  not  less  than  40  inches  wide  and  7 feet  high,  which  shall 
swing  in  the  direction  of  exit  travel.  The  doors  shall  be  provided 
with  locks  or  latches  with  visible  fastenings  requiring  no  keys  to  open 
them.  A wired  glass  panel  shall  be  provided  in  the  door  opening  into 
the  stair  shaft  of  not  less  than  one-third  its  area.  The  level  of  the 
balcony  or  vestibule  floor  shall  be  not  more  than  7%  inches  below  the 
door  sill  of  the  building.  Landings  in  such  stairways  shall  be  of  a 
width  that  the  doors  in  opening  into  the  stairway  shall  not  reduce 
the  free  passageway  of  the  landing  to  a width  less  than  the  width  of 
the  stairway. 

Idem. 

302.  Fire  Escapes. — Every  building,  except  as  herein  pro- 
vided, now  or  hereafter  used  in  whole  or  in  part,  as  a public  building, 
public  or  private  institution  in  which  persons  assemble,  work,  room, 
lodge  or  sleep  above  the  second  story,  shall  be  provided  with  a proper 
number  of  outside  fire  escapes  for  the  use  of  all  persons  accommodated, 
assembled,  employed,  lodged  or  residing  in  such  building;  each  fire 
escape  shall  be  kept  free  from  obstruction  and  in  good  repair,  and 
ready  for  use  at  all  times,  and  shall  have  such  hallways  and  approaches 
on  each  story  as  shall  be  necessary,  and  where  practicable  the  plat- 
forms shall  be  placed  at  or  just  below  the  floor  levels. 


58 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Such  fire  escapes  shall  consist  of  outside  iron  balconies  at  each 
floor  above  the  first  floor,  and  stairways,  connecting  said  balconies  to 
the  ground  where  the  fire  escape  projects  over  a public  highway,  a 
balanced  flight  shall  connect  the  lower  balcony  to  the  ground  in  a 
manner  hereinafter  specified,  (or  an  intermediate  platform  not  less 
than  9 feet  above  sidewalk  or  grade  with  an  iron  ladder  extending 
to  within  7 feet  of  grade  may  be  used  if  approved  by  the  Supervisor. ) 
Stairway  flights  shall  be  placed  on  a slope  not  steeper  than  a ratio 
of  one  horizontal  to  one  and  one-quarter  vertical.  The  balcony  on 
the  top  floor  shall  be  provided  with  a goose  neck  ladder  leading  from 
said  balcony  to  above  the  roof  and  secured  to  same. 

Balconies  shall  be  not  less  than  3 feet  6 inches  in  width,  and  shall 
extend  not  less  than  8 inches  each  side  of  the  clear  opening  of  window 
or  windows  opening  on  said  balcony.  Platforms  or  landings  at  head 
or  foot  of  stair  flights  shall  not  be  less  than  24  inches  by  36  inches  in 
area.  All  balconies  and  platforms  shall  be  designed,  constructed  and 
erected  to  sustain  a uniform  live  load  of  not  less  than  60  pounds  per 
square  foot,  in  addition  to  their  own  weight. 

At  least  one  window  and,  if  feasible,  not  less  than  two  windows 
of  each  part  of  a building  separated  by  inside  walls  shall  open  onto 
balconies.  All  windows  or  doors  opening  upon  a balcony  shall  be  of 
easy  access  and  at  the  level  of  balcony  floor,  of  sufficient  size  to  per- 
mit of  easy  passage  through  them,  and  of  fire  proof  construction  (us- 
ing approved  wired  glass  where  necessary)  and  such  doors  and  wind- 
ows shall  open  outward  in  double  door  fashion  where  possible. 
All  such  doors,  windows,  platforms  and  stairways  shall  be  kept  free 
from  all  obstructions. 

Stairway  flights  shall  not  be  less  than  20  inches  in  width  and  shall 
be  designed,  constructed  and  erected  to  safely  carry  a live  load  of  not 
less  than  150  pounds  per  step  with  the  exception  of  the  treads  which 
shall  be  designed  to  carry  a live  load  of  200  pounds  concentrated  at  the 
center  of  tread. 

Treads  shall  not  be  less  than  7 inches  in  width,  and  the  rise  of 
each  step  shall  not  exceed  9 inches.  A clear  distance  of  not  less  than 
20  inches  shall  be  left  between  the  stairway  and  wall  of  building. 
Stairway  openings  in  platforms,  landings  or  balconies  shall  he  of 
sufficient  size  to  provide  a clear  headway  of  at  least  6 feet,  6 inches, 
and  shall  not  be  less  than  21  inches  in  width,  such  openings  shall  not 
be  covered  over  in  any  way. 

All  balconies,  platforms,  landings  and  stairways  shall  be  pro- 
vided with  substantial  hand  railings,  such  railing  to  be  not  less  than 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


59 


36  inches  nor  more  than  42  inches  high,  well  secured  and  braced  at 
wall  and  posts,  with  posts  spaced  not  more  than  six  feet  apart. 

Brackets  supporting  fire  escapes  shall  be  placed  at  all  points 
where  stairs  connect,  at  or  near  ends  of  balconies  and  at  intermediate 
points  not  further  apart  than  8 feet.  Brackets  shall  be  securely  fas- 
tened to  wall  at  top  with  % inch  bolts  going  entirely  through  the  wall 
with  washers  on  inside  of  wall,  and  at  the  bottom  with  % inch  ex- 
pansion bolts.  On  new  buildings,  all  brackets  shall  be  set  as  the  walls 
are  being  built. 

All  steel,  wrought  iron,  and  cast  iron  members  shall  be  designed 
in  accordance  with  the  allowable  working  stresses  specified  in  this 
Code.  ~No  steel  or  wrought  iron  less  than  % inch  in  thickness  shall 
be  used  (excepting  webs  of  channels  and  beams)  and  no  angles  less 
than  2x2x%-inch,  or  bars  less  than  l^x^-inch  will  be  acceptable. 
Strings  shall  be  made  of  not  less  than  6-inch  steel  channels  or  other 
shapes  equally  as  strong. 

When  a fire  escape  projects  over  a street  or  other  public  highway 
a properly  balanced  flight  shall  be  required  to  connect  the  lower 
balcony  with  a safe  landing  place.  Should  the  balcony  be  more  than 
16  feet  above  the  sidewalk  or  ground  an  intermediate  landing  shall 
be  provided.  Such  landing  shall  be  located  not  less  than  9 feet  above 
the  sidewalk  or  ground  and  shall  be  connected  with  the  balcony  above 
by  means  of  a stairway  constructed  as  herein  specified. 

The  balance  flight  shall  be  made  as  specified  for  other  flights,  well 
braced,  pivoted  and  properly  balanced  to  stand  at  a horizontal  posi- 
tion without  danger  to  passersby. 

Idem. 

303.  All  parts  of  fire  escapes  shall  be  painted  not  less  than  2 coats 
of  paint,  one  coat  at  the  shop  and  another  coat  after  erection,  and  shall 
be  painted  thereafter  whenever  needed. 

Idem. 

304.  The  Supervisor  of  Buildings  or  his  assistant  shall  have 
power  to  make  and  have  served  an  order  in  writing  upon  any  owner 
or  owners,  lessee,  or  agent  of  any  building  coming  under  the  provis- 
ions of  this  ordinance,  ordering  that  one  or  more  fire  escapes  shall  be 
erected  on  the  said  building,  or  ordering  that  a fire  escape  already 
erected  shall  be  changed  in  such  manner  as  he  shall  designate  in 
order  to  conform  to  the  provisions  of  this  ordinance. 

Idem. 


60 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


305.  Any  corporation,  firm  or  person  failing  or  neglecting  to  obey 
sucb  order  within  thirty  days  from  the  date  of  issue  of  said  order, 
shall  he  liable  to  a penalty  fine  as  herein  provided,  and  each  day 
elapsing  thereafter  until  the  fire  escape  shall  have  been  erected  on 
said  building  in  compliance  with  said  order  shall  constitute  a sepa- 
rate offense  subject  to  the  penalty  fine  herein  designated. 

Idem. 

306.  Smoke-proof  towers  with  fire-proof  stairways  therein,  ap- 
proved by  the  Supervisor,  shall  be  considered  as  meeting  the  require- 
ments of  this  ordinance. 

Idem. 

307.  An  “Exit-to-fire-escape”  box  sign,  with  green  glass  letters 
not  less  than  3 inches  high  on  face  and  an  electric  light  within,  shall 
be  placed  at  the  entrance  to  fire  escape  on  each  floor  of  every  building 
having  fire  escapes.  Such  signs  shall  be  kept  lighted  all  and  every 
night  when  people  are  rooming  or  sleeping  within,  or  during  the  en- 

, tire  time  people  are  congregated  within  such  building. 

Idem.  ^ 

308.  Requirements  for  Exits  and  Stairways. 

1.  Every  building  hereafter  erected,  and  every  building  altered 
or  converted  to  increase  its  occupancy,  excepting  dwellings,  tenement 
houses,  theatres,  and  assembly  halls,  which  are  elsewhere  provided 
for,  shall  have  exits  and  stairways  as  required  in  this  section. 

2.  (a)  The  term  floor  area  in  this  section  shall  mean  the  entire 
space  in  a given  story  between  exterior  walls,  fire  walls  or  fire  exit 
partitions,  except  that  in  computing  such  area  the  space  occupied  by 
walls,  partitions,  columns,  and  all  shafts  may  be  excluded. 

'(b)  The  term  stair  exit  in  this  section  shall  be  as  required  in 
paragraph  10,  section  301. 

(c)  The  term  horizontal  exit  shall  be  understood  to  mean  one  or 
more  openings  through  or  around  a fire  wall,  fire  exit  partition,  or 
any  wall  separating  two  buildings ; no  such  opening  shall  be  less  than 
30  inches  wide:  Or  such  an  exit  may  be  an  exterior  bridge  or  bal- 
cony connecting  two  buildings  or  two  floor  areas  of  the  same  build- 
ing. Where  there  is  a difference  in  level  between  connected  buildings 
or  floor  areas,  gradients  shall  be  provided  of  not  more  than  1 foot  in 
6 feet  where  practicable.  The  bridges  or  balconies  shall  be  not  less 
than  44  inches  wide,  and  shall  be  constructed  of  incombustible  ma- 
terial, and  enclosed  on  the  sides  at  least  4 feet  high.  All  exterior 
exposing  openings  in  connected  buildings  or  floor  areas  within  10 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


61 


feet  of  bridge  or  balcony  shall  be  protected  by  fire  doors  or  fire 
windows  with  fixed  or  automatic  sash.  The  floor  of  a bridge  or  bal- 
cony shall  be  not  more  than  7%  inches  helow  the  door  sill  opening 
upon  it;  the  connecting  floor  within  the  building  shall  be  not  more 
than  1 inch  below  the  sill.  Every  such  bridge  or  balcony  when  en- 
closed shall  be  provided  with  means  of  lighting. 

All  horizontal  exits  shall  be  provided  with  self-closing  fire  doors. 
Such  doors  shall  be  kept  unlocked  during  the  occupancy  of  any  por- 
tion of  the  floor  areas  or  connected  buildings.  No  glass  shall  be  used 
in  such  doors  when  used  on  exits  through  fire  walls  as  provided  in 
Section  285,  paragraph  4.  Wired  glass  may  be  used  in  doors  in 
other  horizontal  exits  provided  it  conforms  to  the  requirements  of 
Section  285,  paragraph  4. 

The  available  floor  area  on  each  side  of  a horizontal  exit  shall  be 
sufficient  for  the  joint  occupancy  on  the  basis  of  not  less  than  3 square 
feet  of  unobstructed  space  per  person  and  shall  be  provided  with  at 
least  one  stairway  as  defined  in  Section  301. 

3.  (a)  In  all  buildings  not  exempted  in  paragraph  1 of  this  sec- 
tion, one  of  the  two  required  means  of  exit  from  every  floor  area 
above  the  first  floor  shall  be  a stair  exit,  and  the  other  may  be  a stair 
exit  or  a horizontal  exit.  No  part  of  any  floor  area  above  the  first 
floor,  excepting  buildings  of  Class  F,  shall  be  more  than  100  feet  dis- 
tant from  an  entrance  to  one  such  means  of  exit. 

When  a building  over  35  feet  in  height  is  occupied  for  business 
purposes  on  the  lower  floors  and  for  the  home  of  not  more  than  two 
families  on  the  floors  above,  at  least  one  continuous  enclosed  stairway 
shall  be  provided  to  the  street  level  through  the  stories  occupied  for 
business. 

4 

(b)  In  buildings  of  Class  E,  over  55  feet  high,  except  office  build- 
ings, one  of  the  two  required  means  of  exit  shall  be  either  a smoke- 
proof  tower  or  an  interior  enclosed  stairway  with  self-closing  doors 
opening  into  hallways  which  are  also  enclosed  with  fireproof  parti- 
tions as  specified  in  Section  309,  paragraph  1. 

(c)  In  every  building  over  90  feet  in  height  one  of  the  required 
means  of  exit  shall  be  a smokeproof  tower  or  a horizontal  exit  as 
herein  defined. 

4.  In  determining  the  occupancy  of  any  building,  the  width  of 
stairways  required  for  any  floor  area  above  the  first  floor  shall  be 
determined  by  the  number  of  persons  occupying  such  floor  area,  com- 
puted on  the  basis  of  fourteen  persons  for  each  22  inches  width  of 
stairway,  plus  one  person  for  every  3 square  feet  of  hallway  floor  and 


62 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


stairway  landings  in  the  story  height  of  such  floor,  excepting  that  in 
any  building  where  a system  of  automatic  sprinklers  is  installed 
throughout  the  entire  building,  as  required  in  Section  460,  the  num- 
ber and  width  of  stairways  may  he  computed  on  the  basis  of  twenty- 
one  persons  for  each  22  inches  width  of  stairway ; and  excepting  that 
when  horizontal  exits  are  provided  as  required  in  paragraph  2 (c) 
of  this  section,  the  number  and  widths  of  required  stairways  for  floor 
areas  above  the  first  floor  may  be  diminished  to  a basis  of  fifty  per- 
sons for  each  22  inches  width  of  horizontal  exit,  provided  that  in  no 
case  there  shall  be  less  stairway  or  means  of  exit  than  required  ill 
paragraph  3,  (a)  and  (b)  of  this  section.  ' 

5.  Exits  shall  also  be  provided  from  the  cellar,  basement,  and 
first  story  of  every  building  as  may  be  required  by  the  Supervisor  of 
Buildings. 

6.  The  number  of  exits  and  stairways  in  tenement  houses  shall  be 
as  required  in  the  Tenement  House  Law,  Sections  597  and  603. 

Idem. 

309.  Fire  Exit  Partitions. 

1.  Partitions,  erected  to  furnish  horizontal  exits,  shall  be  built  of 
fireproof  materials.  Ho  construction  shall  be  used  for  such  parti- 
tions less  than  5 inches  thick,  unless  it  has  been  approved  after  a fire 
test  as  prescribed  in  Section  439,  paragraph  4 ; in  no  case  shall  such 
partition  be  less  than  4 inches  thick  if  of  block  or  tile  construction, 
or  less  than  3 inches  thick  if  of  reinforced  concrete  or  solid  metal 
lath  and  cement  plaster  construction,  except  as  herein  permitted  for 
non-fireproof  buildings. 

When  tile  or  block  partitions  are  less  than  5 inches  thick,  sub- 
stantial protected  reinforcement  shall  be  provided  at  intervals  not 
exceeding  20  feet  in  length  to  resist  the  effect  of  buckling  due  to  heat. 

2.  Fire  exit  partitions  shall  be  supported  at  each  floor,  and  shall 
be  securely  anchored  to  the  walls,  floor,  and  ceiling  of  the  rooms 
which  they  subdivide.  In  fireproof  buildings  such  partitions  shall 
rest  upon  the  fireproofing  of  the  floor. 

3.  In  non-fireproof  buildings  fire  exit  partitions  shall  be  not  less 
than  3 inches  thick  if  of  block  or  tile  construction,  and  not  less  than 
2%  inches  thick  if  of  reinforced  concrete  or  solid  metal  lath  and 
cement  plaster  construction,  and  shall  be  continuous  through  all 
stories  of  the  buildings  and  be  placed  one  above  the  other.  The  space 
between  floor  joists  included  between  the  top  of  a partition  in  one 
story,  and  the  bottom  of  the  corresponding  partition  in  the  story 
above,  shall  be  completely  fire-stopped  with  incombustible  material. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


63 


4.  Doorways  in  fire  exit  partitions  shall  be  not  more  than  60  feet 
apart,  hut  doorways  may  he  omitted  if  approved  means  of  exit  around 
the  partitions  are  provided.  Xo  openings  other  than  doorways  pro- 
tected by  fire  doors,  shall  he  placed  in  such  partitions  except  that  fire 
windows  not  exceeding  % of  1 per  cent,  of  the  area  of  the  partition 
may  be  permitted  where  strictly  necessary  for  purposes  of  observa- 
tion. Such  fire  windows  shall  have  fixed  sash  and  may  be  placed 
either  in  the  partition  itself  or  in  the  doors.  Windows  placed  in 
partitions  shall  also  be  protected  by  automatic  closing  fire  shutters. 
USTo  single  pane  shall  exceed  144  square  inches  in  area,  and  not  more 
than  one  pane  shall  he  placed  in  a door. 

5.  Wired  glass  panels  not  exceeding  720  square  inches  in  area 
are  permitted  in  doors  of  fire  exit  partitions  in  corridors  of  hotels, 

■ clubs,  dormitories  and  similar  buildings. 

Idem . 

310.  Exits  and  Protection  for  Existing  Buildings. 

1.  Where  the  exit  facilities  of  existing  buildings  are  found  by  the 
Supervisor  to  he  inadaquate,  additional  exits,  sprinklers,  or  other  pro- 
tection shall  be  provided  of  approved  types. 

2.  In  case  the  Supervisor  may  have  declared  an  existing  build- 
ing unsafe,  and  ordered  increased  exit  facilities,  sprinklers  or  other 
protection,  appeal  may  he  made  from  such  order  to  the  Board  of  Ap- 
peals as  provided  in  Section  250.  The  decision  of  that  Board  shall  be 
final,  and  when  it  has  been  complied  with,  the  Supervisor  shall  issue 
a certificate  to  accord*  with  such  decision. 

Idem. 

311.  Engineers ’ Stationary  Ladders. — Every  building  in  which 
high-pressure  steam  boilers  are  placed  in  the  cellar  or  lowest  story 
shall  have  stationary  iron  ladders  or  stairs  from  such  story  leading 
direct  to  a manhole  through  the  sidewalk  or  other  outside  exit  in 
addition  to  another  approved  means  of  entrance  and  exit. 

Idem. 


PART  XIII. 

4 

Tests,  Quality  and  Weights  of  Materials. 

312.  Strength  Test  Requirements. 

1.  All  building  materials  shall  he  of  a quality  to  meet  the  re- 
quirements of  this  Code,  and  such  tests  as  are  required  by  the  Super- 


64 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


visor  shall  meet  the  test  specifications  promulgated  by  him  in  accord- 
ance with  the  requirements. 

2.  All  tests  shall  be  conducted  under  the  supervision,  or  direction 
of  the  Supervisor.  Laboratory  tests  shall  he  made  at  some  Testing 
Laboratory  of  recognized  standing  by  a reputable,  competent,  and  dis- 
interested expert  acceptable  to  the  Supervisor.  The  tests  shall  be  at 
the  expense  of  the  owner  or  builder.  The  test  certificate  shall  state 
the  source  of  the  test  specimens,  the  method  of  test,  and  the  results  ob- 
tained. Original  signed  copies  of  the  certificates  shall  be  furnished 
the  Supervisor  and  shall  be  kept  on  file  in  his  office  subject  to  public 
inspection. 

The  Supervisor  may  at  his  discretion  accept  certified  reports  of 
tests  made  by  responsible  persons,  provided  such  reports  show  that  the 
materials,  appliance  or  method  of  construction  have  met  the  test  re- 
quirements of  this  Code. 

4.  Materials,  appliances  or  methods  of  construction  which  have 
been  tested  and  approved  shall  be  used  and  installed  in  the  same  man- 
ner in  which  they  were  tested  for  approval. 

5.  Additional  tests  shall  be  made  from  time  to  time  at  the  discre- 
tion of  the  Supervisor.  # 

Idem. 

313.  Brick. 

1.  All  bricks  used  in  buildings,  shall  be  sound,  hard  burned,  or 
other  approved  brick  of  regular  shape.  Second-hand  brick  shall  he 
thoroughly  cleaned  before  being  used.  Not  more  than  15  per  cent, 
shall  he  bats  or  broken  brick. 

2.  Brick  tested  for  approval  shall  develop  an  average  strength  of 
3,000  lbs.  per  square  inch,  and  no  sample  shall  fall  below  2,000  lbs, 
per  square  inch.  Brick  shall  be  tested  flatwise  (half  bricks  permit- 
ted), and  the  average  shall  be  taken  on  at  least  five  samples.  The 
average  allowable  absorption  shall  not  exceed  15  per  cent. 

Idem. 

314.  Sand  or  fine  aggregates. — The  sand  or  fine  aggregates  shall 
consist  of  sand,  crushed  stone,  or  gravel  screenings  passing  (when 
dry)  a screen  having  4 meshes  to  the  lineal  inch,  provided  not  more 
than  10  per  cent,  shall  pass  a screen  having  100  meshes  to  the  lineal 
inch.  It  shall  be  cleaned,  coarse,  of  hard  durable  materials  and  shall 
contain  not  more  than  5 per  cent,  of  loam  or  other  deleterious  matter. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


65 


315.  Lime. 

1.  Slacked  lime  (lime  putty)  shall  he  made  from  well-burned 
quick  lime,  free  from  ashes,  clinker  and  other  foreign  material.  All 
lime  to  he  slaked  not  less  than  3 days  before  using. 

2.  Dry  hydrated  lime  shall  be  the  finely  divided  product  resulting 
from  mechanically  slaking  pure  quick  lime  at  the  place  of  manu- 
facture. 

3.  Lime  shall  he  of  quality  to  meet  the  specifications  of  the 
American  Society  for  Testing  Materials. 

Idem. 

316.  Lime  Mortar, — Lime  mortar  shall  be  made  of  one  part  by 
volume  of  slaked  lime  (lime  putty),  or  dry  hydrated  lime,  and  not 
more  than  four  parts  by  volume  of  sand. 

Idem. 

\ 

317.  Cements. — Portland  cement  and  Natural  cement  shall  meet 
the  respective  requirements  of  .the  current  Standard  Test  Specifica- 
tions of  the  American  Society  for  Testing  Materials  for  those  ce- 
ments. No  caked  or  lumpy  cement  shall  be  used. 

Idem. 

318.  Cement  Mortar. 

1.  Cement  mortar  shall  be  made  of  cement  and  sand  in  the  pro- 
portions of*  one  part  of  cement  and  not  more  than  three  parts  of  sand 
by  volume  to  which  not  more  than  10  per  cent,  of  hydrated  lime  or  lime 
putty  may  he  added. 

2.  Except  in  chimneys,  not  more  than  15  per  cent,  of  the  cement 
by  volume  may  be  replaced  by  an  equal  volume  of  dry  hydrated  lime. 
The  lime  and  cement  shall  be  thoroughly  mixed  before  the  addition 
of  water.  The  mortar  shall  be  used  immediately  after  water  is 
added. 

3.  Cement-lime  mortar  shall  be  made  of  one  part  of  cement,  one 
part  of  slaked  lime  or  dry  hydrated  lime,  and  not  more  than  three 
parts  of  sand  to  each.  All  materials  to  be  measured. 

Idem. 

319.  Gypsum  Mortar  or  Plaster. — A mortar  or  plaster  composed 
of  1 part  retarded  gypsum,  and  not  more  than  3 parts  sand,  with 
binding  material  when  necessary. 

Idem. 


66 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


320.  Building  Blocks. 

1.  The  term  -“block”  as  used  in  this  section  shall  mean  any  shape 
of  block,  brick,  or  tile  which  forms  a hollow  or  cellular  wall. 

2.  Terra  cotta  blocks  for  bearing  walls  shall  be  dense,  and  hard- 
burned  or  vitreous. 

Portland  cement  only  shall  be  used  in  the  manufacture  of  con- 
crete blocks,  and  the  coarse  aggregate  shall  be  of  suitable  material 
graded  in  size,  but  in  no  case  shall  the  maximum  dimension  exceed 
one-half  the  width  of  the  minimum  section  of  the  finished  block. 

3.  All  building  blocks  used  for  bearing  walls  shall  be  marked  or 
branded  for  identification  and  such  marks  or  brands  shall  be  regis- 
tered with  the  Supervisor.  ~No  make  of  blocks  shall  be  used  in  any 
structure  until  the  requisite  number  of  samples  have  successfully 
met  the  test  requirements  of  this  section,  and  have  been  approved  by 
the  Supervisor. 

Tests  may  be  made  to  establish  the  working  stresses  to  govern  the 
use  of  blocks  of  each  particular  mark  or  brand.  A series  of  ten 
full  size  blocks  may  be  selected  by  the  Supervisor  from  average  qual- 
ity stock,  either  at  the  factory,  or  from  stock  delivered  for  use  at  a 
building,  and  shall  be  tested  for  compression. 

4.  Concrete  blocks  shall  be  not  more  than  36  days  old  when 
tested. 

5.  The  compressive  strength  of  building  blocks  shall  in  all  cases 
be  calculated  upon  the  gross  sectional  area  of  the  beddin'g  faces,  in- 
cluding the  cellular  spaces. 

All  blocks  submitted  to  test  shall  be  bedded  in  plaster  of  paris  or 
cement  to  secure  an  even  bearing. 

Two-piece  blocks  shall  be  tested  in  pairs  as  set  to  form  the  two 
faces  of  the  wall.  The  strength  requirement  shall  be  the  same  as  the 
hollow  blocks,  and  it  shall  be  calculated  upon  the  gross  sectional  wall 
area  which  would  be  formed  by  the  two  blocks  and  the  space  between 
them. 

6.  The  average  ultimate  compressive  strength  for  terra  cotta 
blocks  designed  to  be  normally  laid  with  the  cells  vertical,  and  which 
are  tested  with  the  cells  in  this  position,  shall  be  not  less  than  1,200 
lbs.  per  square  inch.  The  allowable  working  stress  on  such  blocks 
shall  not  exceed  120  lbs.  per  square  inch. 

7.  The  average  compressive  strength  of  terra  cotta  blocks  which 
are  designed  to  be  normally  laid  with  the  cells  vertical,  but  are  tested 
with  the  cells  horizontal,  shall  be  not  less  than  300  lbs.  per  square 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


67 


inch,  and  no  block  of  the  set  shall  test  less  than  200  lbs.  per  square 
inch.  The  allowable  working  stress  on  such  blocks  when  laid  with 
the  cells  horizontal,  shall  not  exceed  30  lbs  per  square  inch. 

8.  The  average  ultimate  compressive  strength  for  terra  cotta 
blocks  designed  to  he  normally  laid  with  the  cells  horizontal,  and 
which  are  tested  with  the  cells  in  that  position,  shall  he  not  less  than 
800  lbs.  per  square  inch.  The  allowable  working  stress  on  such  blocks 
shall  not  exceed  80  lbs.  per  square  inch. 

9.  The  average  compressive  strength  for  concrete  blocks  when 
tested  with  the  cells  vertical,  shall  be  not  less  than  800  lbs.  per  square 
inch,  and  300  lbs.  per  square  inch  with  no  block  testing  at  less  than 
200  pounds  per  square  inch  if  tested  with  the  cells  horizontal.  The 
allowable  working  stress  for  such  blocks  shall  not  exceed  80  lbs.  and 
30  lbs.  per  square  inch  respectively. 

10.  Hollow  building  blocks  may  be  filled  solidly  with  Portland 
cement  concrete  or  cement  mortar  to  increase  the  stability  and  to  aid 
in  distributing  the  load,  but  the  allowable  working  stress  on  such 
blocks  shall  not  be  greater  than  that  permitted  for  unfilled  blocks. 

11.  The  absorption  of  building  blocks  used  for  bearing  or  panel 
walls,  determined  by  taking  the  average  test  of  three  blocks  shall 
not  exceed  10  per  cent,  in  48  hours,  and  shall  not  exceed  15  per  cent, 
in  any  case. 

12.  Hollow  building  blocks  shall  not  be  used  in  fireproof  build- 
ings until  they  have  successfully  withstood  a two-hour  fire  test  as 
specified  for  partitions  in  Section  439,  paragraph  4. 

7 dem. 

321.  Terra  Cotta  Floor  Tile.- — Terra  cotta  floor  tile,  when  tested 
on  end  and  faced  with  Portland  cement,  shall  give  an  average  com- 
pressive strength  of  not  less  than  2,500  lbs.  per  square  inch  of  net 
area.  The  average  strength  shall  be  computed  from  the  results  of 
test  of  ten  average  tile. 

Idem. 

322.  Concrete. 

1.  All  mass  concrete  shall  consist  of  a medium  wet  or  plastic 
mixture  of  cement,  sand,  and  stone,  gravel  or  hard  durable  material, 
of  such  proportions  or  quality  as  shall  be  specified  by  this  Code. 

2.  All  concrete  shall  be  mixed,  deposited  and  protected  as  re- 
quired for  reinforced  concrete  in  Sections  419-421. 


68 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


3.  All  forms  and  centering  shall  be  built  plumb  and  to  true 
lines  in  a substantial  manner,  with  joints  sufficiently  tight  to  pre- 
vent the  leakage  of  the  cement  mortar.  They  shall  be  properly  sup- 
ported and  braced  to  safely  sustain  both  the  dead  load  and  the  live 
load  that  may  be  placed  upon  them  during  construction. 

4.  All  tests  on  concrete  shall  be  made  in  accordance  with  the  re- 
quirements of  Sections  312  and  385  but  the  test  strength  of  concrete 
other  than  that  used  with  reinforcement  shall  be  as  specified  by  the 
Supervisor. 

Idem. 

323.  Structural  Timber. — All  timbers  and  wooden  beams  used 
in  building  shall  be  of  good  sound  material,  free  from  rot,  large  and 
loose  knots,  shakes,  or  any  imperfection  whereby  the  strength  may  be 
seriously  impaired.  And  the  recognized  standards  and  rules  of  the 
Southern  Pine  Lumber  Association  shall  be  the  standard  of  re- 
quirements by  this  Code. 

Idem. 

324.  Structural  Steel  and  Iron. 

1.  All  wrought  and  cast  structural  steel  and  iron  shall  conform  to 
the  test  requirements  of  the  current  Standard  Specifications  of  the 
American  Society  for  Testing  Materials. 

2.  Rivet  steel  shall  have  an  ultimate  strength  of  46,000  to  56,- 
000  lbs.  per  square  inch. 

3.  All  other  structural  steel  shall  show  an  ultimate  strength  of 
55,000  to  65,000  lbs.  per  square  inch. 

4.  ISTo  second-hand  rolled  shapes  shall  be  used  in  any  structure 
without  the  written  permission  of  the  Supervisor. 

5.  Steel  castings  shall  be  made  from  open  hearth  steel  of  soft  or 
medium  grade,  and  shall  be  practically  free  from  blowholes,  with  a 
reasonably  clear  skin  and  sharpness  to  pattern,  and  shall  show  an 
ultimate  tensile  strength  of  60,000  to  70,000  lbs.  per  square  inch. 

6.  Cast  iron  shall  be  of  good  foundry  mixture,  producing  a clear, 
tough,  gray  iron.  Castings  shall  be  free  from  serious  blowholes, 
cinder  spots,  and  cold  shuts.  Transverse  tests  on  cast  iron  shall  be 
made  upon  the  l^-inch  diameter  “Arbitration  Bar”  of  the  Ameri- 
can Society  for  Testing  Materials.  The  bar  to  be  supported  on  12- 
inch  centers,  loaded  at  the  middle,  and  in  no  case  shall  it  test  at  less 
than  2,000  lbs.  Tensile  tests  optional. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS  69 

325.  Weights  of  Materials. — The  weights  of  various  materials 
shall  be  assumed  to  he  as  follows : Pounds  per 

cubic  foot 

Brickwork — Ordinary  120 

Brickwork — Pressed  brick 130 

Concrete — Cinder,  used  for  floor  arches  or  slabs,  well 

tamped  ....  108 

Concrete — Cinder,  used  for  filling,  not  tamped 60 

Concrete — Stone,  or  gravel 150 

Granite,  Bluestone  and  Marble 170 

Limestone  160 

Sandstone  145 

Oak  50 

Spruce  and  Hemlock 30 

White  Pine 27 

Yellow  Pine,  Grade  I (see  Section  327,  paragraph  4)  ....  . 42 

Yellow  Pine,  Grade  II 35 

Maple  43 

Birch  45 

Douglas  Fir  and  Cypress 35 

Idem. 


PART  XIY. 


Working  Stresses. 

326.  Computations  for  Working  Stress. 

1.  The  required  dimensions  of  each  piece  of  material  and  of  each 
form  of  construction  to  be  used  in  buildings  shall  be  computed,  ac- 
cording to  the  rules  prescribed  by  this  Code. 

2.  Factors  of  Safety.  Where  the  Code  furnishes  neither  a unit 
working  stress,  nor  a factor  of  safety  for  a material,  the  relation  of 
allowable  working  stress  to  ultimate  strength  shall  be  determined  by 
the  Supervisor  if  necessary. 

Idem,. 

327.  Permissible  Working  Stresses. 

1.  The  safe  carrying  capacity  of  the  various  materials  of  con- 
struction, when  not  otherwise  specified,  shall  he  determined  by  the 
following  working  stresses  in  pounds  per  square  inch  of  sectional 


area : 


70 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


2.  Steel  and  Iron. 

Pounds  per 

Compression  in  Short  Blochs.  square  inch. 

Rolled  Steel 16,000 

Cast  steel 16,000 

Cast  iron  16,000 

Steel  pins,  shop  and  power  driven  field  rivets,  (bearing)  . 24,000 

Steel  field  rivets  (driven  by  hand)  (hearing)  20,000 

Steel  field  bolts  (bearing) 16,000 

Tension. 

Rolled  steel  16,000 

Cast  steel 16,000 

Shear. 

Steel  web  plates 10,000 

Steel  shop  and  power  driven  field  rivets  and  pins 12,000 

Steel  field  rivets  (driven  by  hand) 10,000 

Steel  field  bolts 8,000 

Cast  steel 9,000 

Cast  iron  1,500 

Extreme  Fibre  Stress. 

Rolled  steel  beams,  and  riveted  steel  beams 16,000 

Rolled  steel  pins,  rivets,  and  bolts 24,000 

Cast  iron  compression  side * 16,000 

Cast  iron  tension  side 2,500 

Compression. 

3.  Concrete  and  Masonry. 

Gront,  Portland  cement,  neat 1,000 

Gront,  Portland  cement,  neat  between  steel  in  foundation 

not  over  % inch 1,500 

Concrete,  Portland  cement,  1;  sand  2;  stone  4 500 

Concrete,  Portland  cement,  1 ; sand  2%  j stone  5 400 

Concrete,  Natural  cement,  1;  sand,  2;  stone  4 125 

Concrete,  Natural  cement,  1;  sand,  2%,  stone  5 80 

Biickwork  in  Portland  cement  mortar 250 

Brickwork  in  natural  cement  mortar  208 

Brickwork  in  lime  and  Portland  cement  mortar 208 

Brickwork  in  lime  mortar 110 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


71 


Hollow  terra  cotta  blocks,  see  Section  320. 

Hollow  concrete  blocks,  see  Section  320. 

Rubble  stonework  in  Portland  cement  mortar 140 

Rubble  stonework  in  lime  and  cement  mortar 100 

Rubble  stonework  in  lime  mortar 70 

Cut  stone  masonry,  other  than  sandstone 600 

Sandstone  masonry  300 

Granites,  according  to  test 1,000  to  2,400 

Gneiss 1,000 

Limestones,  according  to  test 700  to  2,300 

Marbles,  according  to  test 600  to  1,200 

Sandstone,  according  to  test 400  to  1,600 

Slate  1,000 

Shear. 

Shearing  stress  involving  diagonal  tension  in  Portland  ce- 
ment concrete,  in  the  proportions  of  1-2-4 40 

Direct  shear  (punching  shear),  in  Portland  cement  con- 
crete, in  proportions  of  1-2-4 120 

4.  Structural  Timber. 


The  following  stresses  apply  to  seasoned  timber  to  be  kept  under 
shelter  in  a dry  location,  and  deflection  not  to  increase  with  time.  If 
the  timber  is  to  be  used  under  other  conditions,  these  stresses  should 
be  modified. 


Extreme 

Fibre 

Stress. 

BENDING 
Maximum 
Longitud- 
inal Shear. 

COMPRESSION. 
Parallel  to  the 
Perpendic-  Grain.  Col- 

ular  to  the  umn  with  1-d 

Grain.  less  than  10. 

Oak  

1,400 

120 

400 

1,000 

Yellow  Pine  Grade  I 

. 1,600 

120 

350 

1,200 

Yellow  Pine,  Grade  II.  . 

1,200 

85 

300 

900 

Douglas  Pir 

1,500 

100 

325 

1,100 

Eastern  Spruce 

1,000 

75 

200 

900 

Western  Hemlock 

1,300 

75 

250 

1,000 

Norway  Pine 

1,000 

75 

250 

800 

1 equals  unsupported  length  in  inches, 
d equals  diameter  or  least  side  in  inches. 


Where  a moderate  increase  in  deflection'  after  first  placement  of 
the  load  is  not  objectionable,  the  compression  and  extreme  fibre 
stresses  here  given  may  be  increased  10  per  cent.  Stresses  for  tim- 
bers subject  to  vibration  and  impact,  should  not  be  thus  increased. 
Idem . 


72 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


328.  Working  Stresses  for  Columns. 

1.  The  working  stresses  per  square  inch  for  all  steel,  cast  iron, 
or  wooden  columns  having  flat  ends  shall  not  exceed  the  values  given 
by  the  following  formulas : 

2.  Steel  Columns. 

Working  stress,  S equals  16,000-70  1/r 

Where  S equals  allowable  compression  in  lbs.  per  square  inch. 

1 equals  allowable  length  in  inches, 
r equals  least  radius  of  gyration  in  inches. 


The  allowable  compression  (S)  shall  not  exceed  14,000  lbs.  per 
square  inch,  and  the  ratio  of  slenderness  1/r  shall  not  exceed  120, 
except  that  for  bracing  and  for  compression  members  resisting  wind 
stress  only  1/r  shall  not  exceed  150. 


.3  Cast  Iron  Columns. 

Working  stress,  S equals  9000-40  1 
Maximum  1/r  shall  not  exceed  60. 

4.  Wooden  Columns. 

Oak 

Yellow  Pine,  Grade  I 

Yellow  Pine,  Grade  II 

Douglas  Pir 

Spruce 

Western  Hemlock 

Norway  Pine 

1 equals  unsupported  length  in  inches, 
d equals  diameter  or  least  side  in  inches. 


For  columns  with  1-d 
greater  than  10,  but 
not  exceeding  30. 

1,200-20  1/d 
1,400-20  1/d 
1,100-20  1/d 
1,100-20  1/d 
1,100-20  1/d 
1,200-20  1/d 
1,000-20  1/d 


The  unsupported  length  of  wooden  columns  and  compression 
members  shall  not  exceed  30  times  the  diameter  or  least  side,  nor 
shall  the  unit  stresses  exceed  those  given  in  the  table  in  Section  305 
for  1/d  less  than  10. 


5.  Columns  Eccentrically  Loaded. 

The  stresses  of  every  column  which  is  eccentrically  loaded  shall 
be  computed.  The  sum  of  the  stresses  due  to  the  eccentricity  added  to 
all  other  stresses  shall  in  no  case  exceed  the  working  stresses  stated 
in  this  Code. 

The  eccentric  load  of  a column  shall  be  considered  to  be  distrib- 
uted equally  over  the  entire  area  of  the  column  at  the  next  point 
below  that  at  which  the  column  is  securely  braced  laterally  in  the 
direction  of  the  eccentricity. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


73 


329.  Wind  Pressure. 

1.  All  buildings  or  parts  of  buildings  in  which  the  height  is  more 
than  three  times  the  minimum  horizontal  dimension  shall  be  designed 
to  resist  a horizontal  wind  pressure  in  any  direction  of  20  lbs.  for 
every  square  foot  of  exposed  surface.  Wind  bracing  shall  be  pro- 
vided by  making  the  connection  joint  between  girders  and  columns 
sufficient  for  the  vertical  load  as  well  as  the  bending  due  to  side 
pressure;  or  diagonal  bracing  shall  be  placed  between  columns,  pro- 
portioned to  transfer  the  shear  of  the  side  pressure  to  the  footings. 
All  details  shall  be  designed  to  carry  the  stress  in  the  main  members. 

2.  The  overturning  moment  due  to  wind  pressure  shall  not  ex- 
ceed 50  per  cent,  of  the  amount  of  stability  of  the  structure,  unless 
the  structure  is  securely  anchored  to  the  foundation.  The  anchors 
shall  be  of  sufficient  strength  to  safely  carry  the  excess  overturning 
moment,  without  exceeding  the  allowable  unit  stresses  given  in  this 
Code. 

3.  When  the  stress  due  to  the  wind  in  any  member  or  connection 
amounts  to  less  than  50  per  cent,  of  the  total  live  and  dead  loads,  it 
may  be  neglected.  When  the  stress  due  to  the  wind  exceeds  50  per 
cent,  of  the  stress  due  to  the  combined  live  and  dead  loads,  all  these 
stresses  shall  be  added  together  and  the  allowable  unit  stress  for  the 
total  may  be  taken  at  50  per  cent,  in  excess  of  the  values  stated  in 
Sections  327  and  328.  In  no  case  shall  the  section  be  less  than  re- 
quired if  wind  forces  be  neglected. 

4.  In  the  design  of  circular  chimneys,  the  area  subject  to  wind 
pressure  may  be  assumed  as  60  per  cent,  of  the  diametral  area. 

Idem. 


PART  XV. 


Cast  Iron  Construction. 

330.  Cast  Iron  Columns. 

1.  The  outside  diameter  of  least  side  of  cast  iron  columns  shall 
be  not  less  than  5 inches,  nor  shall  their  unsupported  length  exceed 
* sixty  times  their  least  radius  of  gyration. 

2.  The  finished  thickness  of  metal  in  the  shaft  shall  not  be  less 
than  one-twelfth  the  outside  diameter  or  the  greatest  lateral  dimen- 
sion of  cross  section,  nor  less  than  % inch.  The  thickness  of  metal 
in  flanges,  lugs,  seats,  and  brackets  shall  be  not  less  than  1 inch. 


74 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


3.  In  all  cast  iron  columns  not  cast  with  one  open  side,  at  least 
three  holes  %-inch  diameter  shall  be  drilled  90  degrees  apart  near  the 
middle  of  the  shaft  for  the  purpose  of  measuring  the  thickness  of 
metal. 

4.  Whenever  the  core  of  a cast  iron  column  has  shifted  more  than 
one-fourth  the  thickness  of  the  shell  the  strength  shall  be  computed 
assuming  the  thickness  of  metal  all  around  equal  to  the  thinnest 
part,  and  the  column  shall  be  rejected  if  this  computation  shows  the 
strength  to  he  less  than  required  by  Section  324,  paragraph  6. 

5.  A cast  iron  column  shall  be  rejected  whenever  blow-holes  or 
other  imperfections  reduce  the  effective  area  of  the  cross-section  more 
than  10  per  cent. 

6.  The  ends  of  all  cast  iron/  columns  shall  be  planed  to  a true 
surface  perpendicular  to  the  axis  of  the  column.  Successive  column 
lengths  shall  be  bolted  together  through  end  flanges  with  at  least  four 
bolts  not  less  than  % inch  in  diameter.  Ho  shims  shall  be  used  be- 
tween the  flanges. 

7.  If  the  core  of  a cast  iron  column  below  a joint  is  larger  than 
the  core  of  the  column  above,  the  core  of  the  lower  column  shall  be 
tapered  up  for  a distance  of  not  less  than  6 inches,  to  the  size  of  the 
core  of  the  column  above.  In  lieu  of  tapering  the  core,  a steel  or 
cast  iron  plate  of  sufficient  thickness  may  be  used  between  the  flanges. 
The  difference  between  the  diameter  or  sides  of  any  two  successive 
column  lengths  shall  not  be  greater  than  2 inches. 

8.  The  connection  of  beams  and  girders  to  cast  iron  columns 
shall  be  effected  by  means  of  seats  reinforced  by  brackets  of  sufficient 
depth  and  thickness  to  support  the  entire  load,  and  by  lugs  to  which 
the  webs  of  the  beams  and  girders  shall  be  bolted.  The  projection 
of  the  seat  beyond  the  face  of  the  column  shall  in  general  be  not 
greater  than  4 inches. 

9.  All  holes  in  cast  iron  columns  shall  be  drilled.  Cored,  or 
cored  and  reamed  holes  shall  not  be  permitted.  The  diameter  of  holes 
shall  not  exceed  that  of  the  bolts  by  more  than  1/16  inch.  The 
distance  from  the  center  of  a hole  to  the  edge  of  a flange  or  lug  shall 
be  not  less  than  1/12  inches. 

10.  Cast  iron  columns  shall  not  be  used  in  any  case  where  the 
load  is  sufficiently  eccentric  to  reduce  the  unit  compression  to  zero 
in  the  extreme  fibre  on  one  side  of  the  axis  of  the  column. 

11.  Cast  iron  columns  shall  not  be  used  in  the  structural  frame 
of  buildings,  the  height  of  which  is  greater  than  three  times  their 
width. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


75 


12.  Cast  iron  columns  shall  not  be  painted  or  covered  until  after 
inspection  by  the  Supervisor  of  Buildings. 

Idem. 

331.  Cast  Iron  Bases  and  Lintels. 

1.  Cast  iron  bases  or  shoes  shall  be  planed  on  top.  * Bases  which 
rest  on  steel  girders  shall  be  planed  top  and  bottom.  The  thickness 
of  metal  shall  be  not  less  than  1 inch.  The  inclination  of  the  outer 
edge  of  the  ribs  with  the  horizontal  shall  be  not  less  than  45  degrees. 
Whenever  one  side  of  the  bed  plate  exceeds  3 feet  in  length  a rein- 
forcing flange  at  least  3 inches  high  shall  be  provided. 

2.  Cast  iron  lintels  shall  be  not  less  than  % inch  in  thickness, 
and  shall  not  be  used  for  spans  exceeding  6 feet. 

Idem. 


PART  XVI. 


Steel  Construction. 

332.  Rolled  Steel  Columns. 

1.  Xb  rolled  steel  column  shall  contain  material  whether  in  the 
body  of  the  column  or  used  as  lattice-bar  or  stay-plate  of  less  thick- 
ness than  % inch. 

2.  In  steel  columns  built  up  of  a web  plate  and  angles,  and  having 
an  unsupported  length  greater  than  sixty  times  the  least  radius  of 
gyration,  the  thickness  of  metal  in  the  angles  shall  be  not  less  than 
one-twelfth  the  width  of  the  outstanding  legs  of  the  angles. 

3.  The  unsupported  length  of  a rolled  steel  column  shall  not  ex- 
ceed one  hundred  and  twenty  times  its  least  radius  of  gyration,  nor 
forty  times  its  least  lateral  dimension  or  diameter. 

4.  The  ends  of  all  columns  shall  be  faced  to  a plane  surface  at 
right  angles  to  the  axis  of  the  columns.  Wherever  practicable,  the 
connections  between  them  shall  be  made  with  splice  plates.  When 
the  sections  of  the  columns  to  be  spliced  are  such  that  splice  plates 
cannot  be  used,  a connection  formed  of  plates  and  angles  designed 
to  properly  distribute  the  stress  may  be  used. 

5.  Where  any  part  of  the  section  of  a column  projects  beyond 
that  of  the  column  above,  the  difference  shall  be  made  up  by  filling 
plates  secured  to  the  column  by  the  proper  number  of  rivets. 


76 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


6.  The  pitch  of  rivets  at  the  ends  of  built  up  columns  shall  not 
exceed  four  diameters  of  the  rivets  for  a length  equal  to  twice  the 
greatest  lateral  dimension  of  the  column. 

Idem. 

333.  Steel  Girders  and  Beams. 

1 The  thickness  of  the  web  in  built  up  girders  shall  be  not  less 
than  one-one  hundred  and  twentieth  of  the  distance  between  the 
flange  angles  of  stiffeners,  nor  less  than  % inch. 

2.  When  the  unsupported  length  (1)  of  the  compression  flange 
of  a girder  exceeds  ten  times  its  width  (b)  the  unit  stress  in  such 
flange  shall  not  exceed  19,000-300  1/b,  but  in  no  case  shall  the  unsup- 
ported length  of  the  compression  flange  exceed  forty  times  its  width. 

3.  Stiffeners  shall  be  provided  over  supports  and  under  con- 
centrated loads;  they  shall  be  of  sufficient  strength  as  a column  to 
carry  the  loads  and  shall  be  connected  with  a sufficient  number  of 
rivets  to  transmit  the  stress,  to  the  web  plate. 

If  the  unsupported  depth  of  the  web  plate  exceeds  sixty  times  its 
thickness,  intermediate  stiffeners  shall  be  provided.  All  stiffeners 
shall  be  in  pairs  with  close  bearing  against  the  flange  angles. 

A.  When  rolled  steel  beams  are  used  in  pairs  to  form  girders  they 
shall  be  connected  together  by  bolts  and  iron  or  steel  separators  at 
intervals  of  not  more  than  5 feet. 

All  beams  12  inches  and  over  in  depth  shall  have  at  least  two 
bolts  to  each  separator. 

5.  Beams  supported  by  girders  shall  be  riveted  or  securely  bolted 
to  the  same. 

6.  Every  beam,  lintel,  or  girder  supported  by  a wall,  shall  be 
properly  anchored  thereto  and  shall  rest  upon  a steel  or  iron  plate 
so  designed  as  to  properly  distribute  the  load  over  the  masonry. 

Idem. 

334.  Framing  and  Connecting  Structural  Steel  Work. 

1.  Steel  girders,  columns,  beams,  trusses,  and  other  steel  work 
of  floors  and  roofs  shall  be  well  and  firmly  connected  together,  and 
to  the  walls. 

2.  All  connections  shall  be  of  sufficient  strength  to  develop  the 
full  strength  of  the  member.  No  connections  except  for  lacing  bars 
shall  have  less  than  two  rivets. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


77 


335.  Steel  Trusses. 

1.  Trusses  shall  be  so  designed  that  the  stresses  in  each  member 
can  he  calculated. 

2.  All  trusses  shall  be  held  rigidly  in  position  by  efficient  sys- 
tems of  lateral  and  sway  bracing,  struts  being  spaced  so  that  the 
maximum  limit  of  length  to  least  radius  of  gyration,  established  in 
this  Code,  is  not  exceeded. 

3.  For  tension  members  the  actual  net  area  only,  after  deducting 
rivet  holes  % inch  larger  than  the  rivets,  shall  be  considered  as  re- 
sisting the  stress. 

4.  Compression  members  in  pin-connected  trusses  shall  be  so  de- 
signed that  the  stresses  shall  not  exceed  75  per  cent,  of  the  permis- 
sible working  stress  for  columns.  The  heads  of  all  eye-bars  shall 
he  made  by  upsetting  or  forging.  No  weld  shall  he  allowed  in  the 
body  of  the  bar.  Steel  eye-bars  shall  he  annealed.  Bars  shall  he 
straight  before  boring. 

5.  All  pin-holes  shall  be  bored  true  and  at  right  angles  to  the 
axis  of  the  members,  and  must  fit  the  pin  within  1/32  inch.  Eye 
and  screw  ends  shall  be  so  proportioned  that  upon  test  to  destruction 
fracture  will  take  place  in  the  body  of  the  member.  All  pins  shall 
he  accurately  turned. 

Idem. 

336.  Riveting  and  Bolting. 

1.  All  component  parts  of  built  up  columns,  girders,  and  trusses 
shall  he  riveted.  All  column  connections  in  buildings  over  four 
stories  in  height  shall  be  riveted.  Riveting  shall  also  be  used  in 
column  splices,  in  web  and  flange  splices  of  girders  and  trusses,  and 
in  all  .connections  of  beams  and  girders  to  columns. 

2.  Where  riveting  is  impracticable,  turned  bolts  may  be  used 
'provided  the  holes  for  same  are  punched  and  reamed  to  a template 
and  the  bolts  are  accurately  fitted. 

3.  All  shop  rivets,  wherever  practicable,  shall  be  machine  driven. 
The  pitch  of  rivets  shall  never  be  less  than  three  diameters  of  the 
rivet,  nor  more  than  6 inches.  In  the  direction  of  the  stress  it  shall 
not  exceed  sixteen  times  the  least  thickness  of  the  outside  member. 
At  right  angles  to  the  stress  it  shall  not  exceed  thirty-two  times  the 
least  thickness  of  the  outside  member. 

4.  Rivets  shall  fill  the  holes  completely;  the  heads  shall  be  hem- 
ispherical and  concentric  with  the  axis  of  the  rivet;  the  length  be- 
tween heads,  shall  not  exceed  five  times  the  diameter. 


78 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


5.  Where  riveting  is  not  required,  connections  may  be  made  by 
bolts  which  shall  be  of  wrought  iron  or  mild  steel  with  United  States 
standard  threads.  The  threads  shall  he  full  and  clean ; the  nut  shall 
be  truly  concentric  with  the  bolt ; and  the  thread  shall  be  of  sufficient 
length  to  allow  the  nut  to  be  screwed  up  tightly. 

6.  When  bolts  are  used  in  tension,  the  working  stresses  shall  be 
reduced  to  8,000  pounds  per  square  inch  of  net  area  for  steel,  and  to 
6,000  pounds  per  square  inch  for  wrought  iron,  and  the  load  shall  be 
transmitted  into  the  head  or  nut  by  washers  distributing  the  pres- 
sure evenly  over  the  entire  surface  of  the  same. 

7.  In  the  construction  of  exterior  stairs,  landings,  platforms  and 
balconies,  no  rivet  shall  be  less  than  3/8-inch  diameter  and  no  bolt 
less  than  %- inch  diameter. 

Idem. 

337.  Protection  of  Structural  Metal  Against  Corrosion. 

1.  All  structural  metal  work  shall  be  cleaned  of  all  scale,  dirt,  and 
rust,  and  be  given  one  coat  of  paint  at  the  shop  completely  covering 
all  exposed  surfaces.  After  erection  all  such  work  shall  be  painted 
at  least  one  additional  coat  of  a shade  different  from  the  first  coat. 
The  first  coat  of  paint  shall  be  made  of  pigments  Vdiich  shall  be 
chemically  inert  after  application,  and  shall  be  mixed  with  linseed 
or  other  drying  oil.  The  amount  of  volatile  matter  shall  be  sufficient 
for  easy  spreading,  and  shall  not  injure  the  film  of  the  paint.  The 
paint  must  dry  sufficiently  hard  within  24  hours  so  that  it  will  not 
rub  off  or  abrade  easily.  When  the  steel  reaches  the  job,  all  abraded 
or  injured  portions  must  be  thoroughly  recoated  with  the  same  ma- 
terial as  the  shop  coat  before  the  second  coat  is  applied.  The  second 
coat  of  paint  shall  be  such  as  will  not  act  as  a solvent  of  the  first 
coat,  and  shall  be  mixed  with  a pigment  which  shall  be  inert  after 
application,  and  the  vehicle  shall  be  one  that  will  not  saponify  under 
the  action  of  cement  mortar. 

2.  Surfaces  of  riveted  work  which  come  in  contact  with  each 
other,  shall  be  painted  with  two  coats  of  paint  before  assembling. 

3.  All  iron  or  steel  used  in  damp  locations  or  under  water  shall 
be  embedded  in  Portland  cement  concrete.  No  paint  shall  be  ap- 
plied to  the  steel  surfaces  which  are  to  be  encased  in  concrete. 

4.  Any  structural  steel  work  which  may  be  so  placed  as  to  be  in- 
accessible for  inspection  after  erection  shall  preferably  be  thoroughly 
cleaned  of  all  rust  and  encased  in  Portland  cement  concrete  before  it 
is  rendered  inaccessible. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


79 


PART  XVII. 


Ordinary  Timber  Construction. 

338.  Wooden  Beams  or  Joists. 

1.  Every  wooden  beam  in  any  party  or  fire  wall  shall  be  separ- 
ated from  any  other  beam  in  the  wall  by  at  least  6 inches  of  solid 
masonry.  Such  separation  may  be  obtained  by  staggering  the  beams, 
corbeling,  or  by  use  of  approved  steel  hangers  properly  anchored  in 
the  wall,  and  arranged  to  make  the  beams  self-releasing.  Eo  wall 
shall  be  corbeled  more  than  2 inches  for  this  purpose.  If  the  beam 
ends  are  opposite  each  other  in  the  wall  the  separation  shall  be  not 
less  than  8 inches. 

2.  E7o  wooden  floor  or  roof  beam  used  in  any  building  within  the 
fire  limits  shall  be  less  than  2 inches  thick. 

3.  The  thickness  of  wooden  beams  shall  be  not  less  than  2 inches 
in  any  building  where  the  floor  load  is  greater  than  60  pounds  per 
square  foot. 

4.  Trimmer  and  header  beams  over  4 feet  in  length  shall  be  hung 
in  approved  metal  stirrups  or  hangers. 

5.  Every  wooden  beam,  except  header  and  tail  beams,  shall  have 
bearings  of  at  least  4 inches. 

6.  The  ends  of  all  wooden  floor  and  roof  beams,  which  rest  on 
walls,  shall  be  cut  to  a bevel  of  3 inches  in  their  depth. 

7.  Neither  end  of  a floor  or  roof  beam  shall  be  supported  on  stud 
partitions,  except  in  frame  buildings,  and  residences  not  over  two 
stories  high. 

8.  All  wooden  floor  and  roof  beams  shall  be  properly  braced  with 
lattice  bridging.  The  distance  between  bridging  or  between  bridging 
and  bearing  shall  not  exceed  6 feet.  So  far  as  possible  knots  or  other 
imperfections  shall  be  excluded  from  the  bottom  and  top  quarters  of 
timber  beams,  and  in  all  sizes  of  timbers  herein  stated  the  actual 
standard  sizes  of  the  Southern  Yellow  Pine  Association  are  acceptable 
as  filling  the  requirements  of  this  Code. 

Idem. 

339.  ET o floor  joist  in  a residence  or  other  building  shall  be  less 
than  2x8  under  14  feet  in  length,  and  2x10  inches  from  14  feet  to 
20  feet  in  length,  over  20  feet  not  less  than  2x12 ; ceiling  joist  not 
less  than  2x6  up  to  14  feet  in  length  and  2x8  from  14  feet  to  20  feet  in 


80 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


length,  over  20  feet  not  less  than  2x10.  For  joist  of  a flat  roof  the  same 
dimensions  as  used  for  the  floor  joists,  for  a roof  % pitch  and  over 
the  rafters  shall  not  be  less  than  2x4  up  to  14  feet  long,  over  14  feet 
and  up  to  20  feet  not  less  than  2x6,  over  20  feet  long  to  be  not  less 
than  2x8,  and  for  all  spans  of  rafters  of  the  longer  limits  as  stated 
above  there  shall  he  a collar  beam  of  at  least  1x6  to  each  pair  of 
rafters,  or  that  the  stresses  provided  herein  may  be  used  if  desired. 

No  rafters  shall  be  spaced  more  than  20  inches  on  center  and  no 
floor  joists  shall  he  spaced  more  than  16  inches  on  center.  Provided , 
that  the  lengths  of  timbers  stated  above  may  be  construed  to  mean 
between  nearest  supports. 

Idem. 

340.  Wooden  Beams  Separated  from  Masonry  Chimneys. 

1.  No  wooden  beams  or  joists  shall  be  placed  nearer  than  1 inch 
of  the  outside  face  of  a chimney  or  flue,  whether  the  same  be  for 
smoke,  air  or  any  other  purpose. 

2.  No  woodwork  shall  be  within  less  than  4 inches  of  the  back 
face  of  the  wall  of  any  fireplace. 

3.  For  smoke  flues  of  boilers  and  furnaces  where  the  brickwork  is 
required  to  be  more  than  8 inches  in  thickness,  the  header  beams  shall 
be  not  less  than  4 inches  from  the  outside  of  the  brickwork. 

4.  All  spaces  between  a fire  place  and  the  wooden  beams  shall  be 
filled  with  mineral  wool,  loose  cinders,  gypsum  block,  or  other  porous 
incombustible  material. 

5.  The  header  beam,  carrying  the  tail  beams  of  a floor,  and  sup- 
porting the  trimmer  arch  in  front  of  a fireplace,  shall  be  not  less  than 
24  inches  from  the  chimney  breast. 

6.  No  wooden  furring  or  studding  shall  be  placed  against  any 
chimney ; the  plastering  shall  be  directly  on  the  masonry,  or  on  metal 
lathing. 

Idem. 

341.  Anchors  for  Wooden  Beams  and  Girders. 

1.  Each  tier  of  beams  shall  be  anchored  to  the  walls  with  .steel 
anchors  at  intervals  of  not  more  than  6 feet. 

2.  Where  the  beams  are  supported  by  girders,  the  girders  shall  be 
anchored  to  the  walls  and  fastened  to  each  other  by  steel  straps. 

3.  The  ends  of  wood  beams  resting  upon  girders  shall  be  abutted 
together,  end  to  end,  or  lapped,  spiked,  and  strapped  by  steel  straps 
of  the  same  size  and  distance  apart,  and  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
wall  anchors. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


81 


4.  Each  tier  of  beams  running  parallel  to  enclosing  walls  shall 
have  approved  4-inch  anchor  strips-  let  into  the  beams  diagonally, 
crossing  at  least  four  beams. 

5.  Every  pier  shall  be  well  anchored  to  at  least  three  beams  of 
each  story,  with  steel  anchors. 

Idem. 

342.  Timber  Columns,  Posts,  and  Trusses. 

1.  All  timber  columns  and  posts  shall  be  squared  at  the  ends  per- 
pendicular to  their  axis,  and  iron  or  steel  cap  plates  and  base  plates 
shall  be  provided. 

2.  Where  the  cap  plate  of  a timber  column  or  post  supports  a 
wooden  girder  any  column  above  shall  bear  directly  on  the  metal  cap 
and  shall  not  rest  on  the  girder.  Steel  or  wood  cheek  plates  shall  be 
bolted  to  the  girders  and  post,  when  required  for  safety. 

3.  All  bolts  used  in  connection  with  timber  work  shall  be  pro- 
vided with  washers  of  such  proportions  as  will  reduce  the  compress- 
ion on  the  wood  at  the  face  of  the  washer  to  that  allowed  in  Section 
327,  paragraph  4,  supposing  the  bolt  to  be  stressed  to  its  limit. 

Idem. 


PART  XVIII. 


Roofs  and  Roof  Structures. 

343.  Poof  Coverings. 

1.  All  buildings  except  as  given  below  shall  have  roof  coverings  of 
approved  standard  quality,  such  as  brick,  concrete,  tile,  or  slate  ; or 
highest  grade  of  tin  roofing,  or  of  asbestos  shingles  or  of  built-up 
roofing  felt  with  gravel  or  slag  surface,  or  of  built-up  asbestos  roofing ; 
or  other  roofings  of  like  grade. 

Exceptions : 

(a)  Dwellings 

(b)  Frame  buildings 

(c)  Buildings  not  exceeding  two  stories  or  30  feet  in  height  and 
2,500  square  feet  in  area,  and  not  used  for  factories,  ware- 
houses, or  mercantile  purposes. 

2.  The  quality  of  roofing  for  all  dwellings  and  other  buildings 
exempted  in  paragraph  1,  shall  be  as  therein  specified ; or  may  be  of 


82 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


grade  not  lower  than  that  indicated  in  the  definition  of  approved 
fire-resisting  roofing,  Section  265,  paragraph  3. 

4.  The  wooden  planking  and  sheathing  of  roofs  shall  not  in  any 
case  be  extended  across  side  or  party  walls. 

5.  All  flashings  shall  be  of  metal  or  approved  composition  prop- 
erly incorporated  with  the  roofing  material.  Copper  flashings  are 
recommended. 

6.  The  top  and  sides  of  dormer  windows  shall  be  protected  the 
same  as  the  roof. 

7.  This  section  shall  not  be  construed  to  prohibit  the  repairing  of 
a wooden  shingle  roof,  provided  the  building  is  not  increased  in 
height,  but  the  renewal  of  such  a roof  is  forbidden.  No  existing 
wooden  shingle  roof,  if  damaged  more  than  30  per  cent,  shall  be  re- 
paired with  other  than  approved  roofing,  provided  that  new  shingle 
roofing  may  be  put  in  residences  and  outhouses  in  the  Third  Zone  only. 

Idem. 

344.  Roof  Leaders. — All  buildings  shall  be  provided  with  proper 
metal  leaders,  which  shall  be  connected  to  the  sewer.  Where  there 
are  no  sewers  such  leaders  shall  be  connected  by  pipes  below  the  surface 
to  the  street  gutter.  Detached  dwellings,  or  other  one-story  build- 
ings, may  be  exempt  from  the  requirements  of  this  section  at  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  Supervisor. 

Idem. 

345.  Scuttles  on  Roofs. — Upon  the  roof  of  every  building  more 
than  15  feet  high,  which  is  not  required  to  have  stairs  and  bulkhead 
leading  thereto,  there  shall  be  a scuttle  with  stairs  or  substantial 
stationary  step  ladder  leading  to  same,  which  shall  be  easily  acces- 
sible at  all  times  to  all  occupants  without  the  use  of  keys.  All  non- 
fireproof  scuttles  shall  be  covered  on  the  top  and  edges  with  sheet 
metal  or  other  approved  fireproof  material.  The  roof  opening  shall 
be  at  least  2 feet  by  3 feet  in  size  or  a dormer  window  may  supply  the 
needed  exit  for  a dwelling  house. 

Idem. 

346.  Pent  Houses  and  Bulkheads. 

1.  All  inclosures  upon  roofs  for  tanks,  elevators  or  elevator  ma- 
chinery, and  all  pent  houses  and  bulkheads  upon  non-fireproof  build- 
ings shall  be  of  fireproof  construction,  or  may  be  built  of  wooden  studs 
filled  with  brick  or  other  incombustible  material  and  completely  cov- 
ered with  metal  or  other  approved  incombustible  material  on  all 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


83 


sides,  and  all  windows,  doors,  and  trim  shall  be  of  metal,  or  metal 
covered,  and  be  glazed  with  wired  glass  where  glass  is  used. 

2.  All  such  structures  upon  fireproof  buildings  shall  be  of  fire- 
proof construction,  including  floors,  and  in  all  cases  the  outside  sur- 
face shall  be  covered  with  approved  incombustible  weatherproof  ma- 
terial, including  all  surfaces  and  the  edges  of  doors  and  jambs. 

3.  Bulkheads  or  pent  houses  when  used  only  for  the  purpose  of 
enclosing  staircases  to  roofs,  elevator  machinery,  water  tanks,  venti- 
lating apparatus,  exhaust  chambers  or  other  machinery,  need  not  be 
considered  in  determining  the  height  of  the  building. 

Pent  houses  when  occupied  for  purposes  other  than  hereinbefore 
described,  shall  not  exceed  12  feet  in  height,  and  shall  not  ocupy  more 
than  7 5 per  cent,  of  the  area  of  the  roof,  including  all  other  bulkheads 
or  pent  houses  ; excepting  that  in  tenement  houses  the  requirements 
of  Section  592,  paragraphs  2 and  3,  shall  apply,  and  excepting,  that 
no  pent  house  shall  be  occupied  or  used  for  purposes  than  for  the 
exclusive  use  of  the  janitor. 

4.  No  staging,  stand,  sign,  or  other  structure  shall  be  constructed 
upon  the  roof  of  any  building  without  first  obtaining  the  written  ap- 
proval of  the  owner  of  such  building. 

Idem. 

347.  Tanks. 

1.  Tanks  of  more  than  500  gallons  capacity  placed  within  any 
building  or  on  or  above  the  roof  of  any  building,  shall  be  supported 
by  steel  or  masonry  of  sufficient  strength  to  carry  the  same  safely. 
Beams  shall  rest  at  both  ends  on  steel  girders,  iron  or  steel  columns, 
or  walls  or  piers  of  masonry. 

The  supporting  I beams  shall  either  have  the  ends  built  into  ma- 
sonry work,  or  shall  be  securely  framed  together  in  a manner  to  pre- 
vent possibility  of  overturning  or  buckling  due  to  oscillation  of  the 
tank  in  a wind  storm. 

2.  In  or  near  the  bottom  of  each  tank  there  shall  be  a pipe  or  outlet 
not  less  than  4 inches  in  diameter,  fitted  with  a suitable  gate  valve, 
to  permit  ready  drainage  of  the  tank  in  case  of  necessity. 

3.  Wooden  covers  of  tanks  on  roofs  shall  be  covered  with  metal. 
Hoops  of  wooden  tanks  sball  be  of  metal,  round  in  section. 

Idem . 

348.  Cornices  and  Gutters. 

1.  On  all  buildings  or  structures  in  the  fire  limits  the  exterior 
cornices  and  roof  projections  including  those  on  show  windows,  and 


84 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


all  gutters  shall  be  of  incombustible  material.  All  cornices  not  built 
as  a part  of  the  wall  shall  be  secured  with  metal  framing,  look-outs,  or 
anchors,  'provided  that  the  cornices  on  all  apartment  bouses  and  other 
buildings  three  stories  or  more  in  height,  within  the  second  and  third 
zones,  may  have  a wooden  cornice  made  of  wooden  rafter  ends 
sheathed  on  top,  or  a similar  design  and  having  all  exposed  surfaces 
covered  with  galvanized  metal  or  other  incombustible  material  fitting 
closely  to  the  structural  parts,  and  further  provided  that  such  build- 
ings as  above  stated  may  have  wooden  cornices  if  located  10  feet  or 
more  from  the  property  line,  and  further  provided  that  residence 
buildings  and  structures  two  stories  or  less  in  height  may  use  a sub- 
stantial wooden  cornice  with  incombustible  gutters,  within  the  second 
and  third  zones,  and  further  provided  that  all  overhanging  roofing 
and  similar  works  projecting  the  face  line  of  walls  shall  be  construed 
and  termed  asi  cornices'. 

2.  Exterior  wooden  cornices  or  gutters  on  buildings  or  structures 
within  the  fire  limits,  which  are  unsafe  or  are  damaged  to  the  extent 
of  one-half,  shall  he  taken  down;  any  replacement  of  same  shall  be 
made  with  incombustible  materials. 

3.  Outside  of  fire  limits  where  single  residence  buildings  having 
masonry  walls  are  placed  nearer  than  3 feet  to  a side  or  rear  lot 
line,  or  5 feet  to  aother  building,  the  cornice  or  overhanging  eaves 
on  the  front,  sides  and  rear  walls  shall  be  of,  or  covered  with,  incom- 
bustible material.  When  such  buildings  are  erected  in  rows,  com- 
bustible cornices  shall  be  fire-stopped  with  incombustible  material 
between  each  building. 

Board  of  Commissioners  Ord.  788.  Approved  July  13,  1916. 
349.  Skylights. 

1.  All  skylights  shall  have  metal  frames  and  sash,  and  the  frames 
and  parts  thereof  shall  be  riveted  or  otherwise  securely  fastened  in 
addition  to  soldering. 

3.  Except  as  herein  provided,  all  sky-lights  shall  be  glazed  with 
galvanized  wire  screens.  If  plain  glass  is  used  in  sky-lights  on 
buildings  of  a public  character  over  any  passageway  or  room  of 
public  resort,  wire  screens  shall  be  placed  beneath  the  skylights  as 
well  as  above. 

3.  Ho  wired  glass  shall  be  placedAn  a skylight  at  the  top  of  en- 
closures for  elevators,  stairways,  dumbwaiters,  or  vent  and  light 
shafts ; all  such  skylights  shall  be  glazed  with  thin  glass  and  shall  be 
protected  by  galvanized  wire  screens.  The  mesh  of  such  screens  shall 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


85 


not  exceed  1 inch,  and  the  wire  shall  be  of  a size  not  less  thtan  12 
gauge.  All  screens  shall  have  substantial  metal  supports  and  shall  he 
placed  at  least  6 inches  above  skylights  and  project  6 inches  beyond 
edges  of  skylights. 

4.  When  metal  louvres  are  used  for  ventilating  purposes,  over 
shafts  or  in  connection  with  skylights,  the  louvres  or  slats  shall  be 
riveted  to  the  metal  frame. 

5.  Instead  of  a skylight  over  a shaft,  a window  of  equivalent  area 
may  he  placed  in  the  side  of  the  shaft  above  the  roof,  which  is  furthest 
removed  from  a property  line.  The  window  shall  have  incombusti- 
ble frame  and  sash,  and  be  glazed  with  thin  glass. 

6.  Except  windows  in  the  side  of  shafts  above  the  roof,  wired 
glass  only  shall  be  used  in  skylights  which  are  vertical  or  inclined  at 
an  angle  of  over  45  degrees,  when  subject  to  an  exposure  which  would 
require  wall  epenings  to  be  protected  by  fire  windows  or  fire  doors. 

Board  of  Commissioners  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 

350.  Protection  of  Skylights  and  Roof. 

1.  Where  walls  are  carried  up  above  the  roofs  of  adjoining  build- 
ings, proper  means  shall  be  provided  and  used  by  the  person  erecting 
the  walls  for  the  protection  of  the  skylight  and  roofs  of  such  adjoin- 
ing buildings. 

2.  Should  the  owner  of  such  adjoining  building  refuse  permission 
to  have  his  roofs  and  skylights  protected,  such  refusal  shall  be  re- 
ported in  writing  to  the  Supervisor  and  it  shall  then  be  the  duty  of 
the  owner  refusing  such  permission  to  make  his  skylights  and  roofs 
safe  at  his  own  expense.  Such  refusal  by  said  owner  shall  relieve 
the  owner  or  person  erecting  the  building  from  any  responsibility  for 
damage  done  to  persons  or  property  on  or  within  the  premises  af- 
fected. 

Idem. 


PART  XIX. 


Fire  Doors,  Eire  Windows  and  Fire  Shutters. 

351.  Protection  of  Exterior  Wall  Openings. 

1.  All  windows,  doors,  and  openings  in  business  houses,  and  open- 
ings on  opposite  sides  of  alleys,  courts,  or  open  spaces  within  the  Eire 
District,  when  the  walls  containing  same  are  less  than  30  feet  apart. 


86 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


All  such  windows,  doors,  and  openings  with  their  sash  and  frames, 
shall  be  of  incombustible  material  or  covered  entirely  with  metal,  and 
all  glass  used  therein  shall  be  of  wired  glass. 

Board  of  Commissioners  Ord.  875.  Approved  Dec.  5th,  1916. 

2.  All  openings  in  a side  wall  above  and  facing  on  the  roof  of  an 
adjoining  building  of  other  than  fireproof  construction  shall  be  pro- 
tected by  fire  doors  or  ’fire  windows  to  a height  of  50  feet  above  the 
roof  measured  in  a vertical  line.  If  the  adjoining  building  has  a 
fireproof  roof,  all  openings  in  the  said  side  wall  shall  be  protected 
from  the  level  of  the  adjoining  roof  to  a height  of  50  feet  measured  in 
a straight  line  from  the  adjacent  edge  of  the  nearest  skylight  or  other 
opening  in  the  adjoining  roof,  to  the  top  of  the  opening  in  the  wall. 

3.  All  openings  in  a side  wall  above  and  facing  on  the  roof  of  a 
building  of  other  than  fireproof  construction  which  is  separated  from 
the  side  wall  by  a horizontal  distance  less  than  30  feet,  shall  be  pro- 
tected by  fire  doors  or  fire  windows  from  the  roof  level  of  the  ex- 
posing building  to  a height  of  50  feet  measured  from  the  top  of  the 
adjacent  parapet  wall  to  the  top  of  the  opening  in  the  side  wall;  or 
50  feet  from  the  adjacent  edge  of  the  nearest  skylight  or  other  open- 
ing in  the  roof  of  the  exposing  building,  if  the  roof  be  of  fireproof 
construction. 

4.  Approved  fire  shutters  at  the  discretion  of  the  Supervisor  may 
be  substituted  in  place  of  the  fire  windows  required  in  paragraphs  1, 
2,  and  3.  In  such  cases  at  least  one  row  in  every  three  vertical  rows 
of  shutters  shall  he  arranged  to  be  readily  opened  from  the  outside, 
and  a distinguishing  mark  be  provided  on  these  shutters  as  a guide  to 
the  Dire  Department. 

5.  Occupants  of  buildings  shall  use  due  diligence  to  close  all  fire 
doors,  shutters,  and  windows  at  the  close  of  business  each  day. 

Board  of  Commissioners  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 

Idem. 

352.  Protection  of  Interior  Wall  Openings. 

1.  All  openings  in  interior  walls  shall  he  protected  by  fire  doors 
and  fire  windows  where  required  by  this  Code,  and  wherever  consid- 
ered necessary  by  the  Supervisor. 

2.  In  buildings  of  all  classes,  all  openings  into  halls  or  adjoining 
rooms  from  rooms  in  which  paints,  oils,  varnishes,  spirituous  liquors, 
or  drugs  or  other  highly  inflammable  liquids  or  materials  are  stored 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


87 


for  purpose  of  sale  or  otherwise;  or  in  which  manufacturing  pro- 
cesses, or  business  operations  are  conducted  which  are  generally  rec- 
ognized as  hazardous  as  regards  fire,  shall  he  protected  by  self-closing 
fire  doors,  or  fire  windows. 

This  paragraph  shall  apply  to  existing  as  well  as  new  buildings. 

Idem. 


PART  XX. 


Protection  of  Vertical  Openings. 

353.  Enclosures  for  Stairways , Elevators,  Escalators  and  Other 
Shafts  in  Fireproof  Buildings. 

1 All  interior  shafts  containing  stairways  required  to  be  enclosed 
by  Section  301  and  except  in  dwellings,  all  shafts  exceeding  6 square 
feet  in  area  containing  elevators,  escalators,  hoistways,  chutes,  venti- 
lating ducts,  or  used  for  any  other  purpose,  shall  be  continuously  en- 
closed with  fireproof  walls  or  partitions  built  as  follows : 

(a)  Brick  or  plain  solid  concrete  not  less  than  8 inches  in  thick- 
ness for  the  uppermost  30  feet,  increasing  4 inches  in  thickness  for 
each  lower  section  of  30  feet  or  part  thereof ; or  8 inches  in  thickness 
for  the  entire  height  when  wholly  supported  at  vertical  intervals  not 
exceeding  30  feet. 

(b)  Reinforced  stone  or  gravel  concrete  not  less  than  6 inches 
in  thickness  for  the  uppermost  30  feet,  increasing  2 inches  in  thick- 
ness for  each  lower  section  of  30  feet  or  part  thereof ; or  5 inches  in 
thickness  for  the  entire  height  when  supported  at  vertical  intervals 
not  exceeding  20  feet  and  braced  where  necessary  with  lateral  sup- 
ports or  suitable  steel  uprights. 

(c)  Reinforced  cinder  concrete  not  less  than  5 inches  in  thickness 
for  the  entire  height  when  supported  at  vertical  intervals  not  exceed- 
ing 15  feet,  and  braced  where  necessary  with  lateral  supports  or  suit- 
able steel  uprights. 

(d)  Semi-porous  or  porous  terra  cotta  tile,  or  solid  gypsum  blocks 
not  less  than  6 inches  in  thickness  for  the  entire  height  when  sup- 
ported at  vertical  intervals  not  exceeding  20  feet,  and  securely  an- 
chored by  steel  reinforcement  encased  in  the  construction. 

Terra  cotta  tile  shall  have  not  less  than  two  cells  in  its  thickness, 
with  shells  and  webs  not  less  than  %-inch  thick. 


88 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


All  openings  in  such  partitions  shall  have  substantial  steel  fram- 
ing, the  vertical  members  of  which  shall  be  securely  attached  to  the 
floor  construction  above  and  below. 

(e)  Any  material  or  form  of  construction  which  may  be  ap- 
proved by  the  Supervisor  after  a fire  and  water  test  as  required  in 
Section  439,  paragraph  5,  but  no  such  partition  shall  be  less  than 
5 inches  thick. 

2.  Enclosure  partitions  supporting  floor  loads  shall  be  of  ma- 
terials and  thickness  required  for  hearing  walls. 

3.  Portland  cement  mortar  shall  be  used  for  all  masonry  work  in 
shaft  construction,  except  that  gypsum  mortar  may  he  used  to  set 
gypsum  blocks. 

4.  Concrete  walls  or  partitions  shall  conform  to  the  requirements 
of  the  sections  on  concrete  construction. 

5.  The  bottom  of  such  enclosure,  and  the  top  when  not  extended 
through  the  roof,  shall  be  of  fireproof  material  not  less  than  4 inches 
in  thickness. 

6.  When  such  shafts  extend  to  the  top  story,  they  shall  continue 
through  the  roof,  and  shall  project  not  less  than  5 inches  above  the 
roof  surface.  All  such  shafts  shall  be  enclosed  above  the  roof  by  at 
least  5 inches  of  brick,  or  stone  concrete. 

7.  Every  shaft  which  extends  above  the  roof  shall  have  a skylight, 
covering  at  least  three-  fourths  of  the  area  of  the  shaft. 

8.  All  steel  used  to  support  shaft  enclosures,  as  required  in  this 
section,  shall  so  far  as  possible,  be  embedded  in  a fireproofing  ma- 
terial, and  shall  be  protected  on  all  sides,  in  the  manner  required  for 
steel  in  fireproof  buildings.  See  Section  376. 

9.  When  the  compartment  that  contains  the  machinery  for  operat- 
ing an  elevator  communicates  with  an  elevator  shaft,  it  shall  be  en- 
closed with  fireproof  partitions  as  required  for  the  shaft. 

10.  A shaft  shall  not  contain  more  than  two  elevators.  The  sep- 
arating partitions  shall  be  not  less  than  2 inches  thick. 

11.  A stairway  and  elevator  shall  not  be  permitted  within  the 
same  shaft  enclosure. 

12.  All  door  openings  into  such  shafts  shall  be  protected  by  fire 
doors  and  shall  be  self-closing  except  for  elevator  doors.  No  glass 
shall  be  permitted  in  such  doors  except  when  doors  in  elevator  shafts 
open  upon  an  enclosed  hallway  a wired  glass  panel  not  exceeding  2 

y square  feet  without  metal  separators  may  be  provided  in  each  door. 
Care  shall  be  exercised  to  insure  that  all  such  doors  shall  fit  the  open- 
ing as  closely  as  practicable. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


89 


In  factories  and  warehouses  where  elevator  shafts  open  directly 
into  a work  or  storage  room,  no  wired  glass  shall  be  permitted  in  the 
doors.  The  size  of  such  door  openings  shall  not  exceed  80  square 
feet. 

13.  Windows  shall  not  he  permitted  in  shaft  enclosures,  except 
those  opening  to  the  outside  air,  and  which  are  at  least  3 feet  distant 
from  any  other  opening ; all  such  windows  shall  he  stationary  or  auto- 
matic closing  lire  windows. 

14.  Where  an  elevator,  escalator,  or  stairway  as  required  in  para- 
graph (1),  connects  two  floors  only  in  a building,  it  shall  be  enclosed 
in  the  same  manner  as  for  a continuous  shaft,  except  that  it  may  he 
left  open  in  one  story  if  enclosed  in  the  other.  Such  elevator  or 
escalator  shall  not  he  included  in  calculations  for  required  means  of 
exit,  and  no  such  stairway  shall  be  considered  as  an  exit  from  more 
than  one  floor. 

Idem. 

354.  Enclosures  for  Dumbwaiters  and  Other  Shafts  not  Exceed- 
0 ing  Six  Square  Feet  in  Area  in  Fireproof  Buildings. 

1.  All  dumbwaiter  and  other  shafts  or  chutes  not  exceeding  6 
square  feet  in  area,  excepting  dumbwaiter  shafts  which  do  not  extend 
more  than  one  story  above  the  cellar  or  basement  floor  in  dwellings, 
shall  he  continuously  enclosed  by  partitions  of  brick,  terra  cotta,  con- 
crete, metal  lath  and  cement  plaster,  gypsum  blocks,  or  other  ap- 
proved fireproof  material  not  less  than  2 inches  thick  or  of  sheet 
metal  not  less  than  %-inch  thick  and  properly  stayed  with  ribs  and 
braces,  which  may  meet  the  test  specified  in  Section  439,  paragraph  4. 
Such  walls  or  partitions  shall  rest  upon  incombustible  foundations, 
and  shall  be  braced  between  floors  with  approved  incombustible  fram- 
ing. Gypsum  blocks  may  be  set  in  gypsum  mortar ; all  other  blocks 
shall  be  set  in  Portland  cement  mortar. 

2.  When  dumbwaiter  or  other  small  shafts  are  constructed  of 
blocks  or  tile,  all  corner  blocks  or  tile  shall  be  held  by  metal  angle 
clips  or  anchors,  or  be  secured  by  other  approved  means. 

3.  Where  a dumbwaiter  shaft  extends  into  the  cellar  or  base- 
ment of  a building,  it  shall  be  enclosed  in  that  story  with  walls  of 
masonry  not  less  than  5 inches  thick. 

4.  The  bottom  of  such  shaft  shall  be  of  fireproof  material,  and 
where  such  shaft  does  not  extend  through  the  roof,  the  top  of  the  shaft 
shall  be  of  fireproof  material  of  at,  least  the  thickness  of  the  enclosing 
partitions. 


90 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


5.  When  such  a shaft  penetrates  the  roof  it  shall  project  at  least 
6 inches  above  the  roof,  and  shall  he  covered  with  fireproof  material 
and  have  a skylight  covering  at  least  three-fourths  the  area  of  the 
shaft. 

0.  All  openings  in  dumbwaiter  shafts  shall  he  provided  with  ap- 
proved self-closing  fire  doors. 

7.  No  woodwork  other  than  the  guides  and  car  shall  be  permitted 
in  the  construction  of  any  such  shaft. 

Idem. 

355.  Light  and  Vent  Shafts. 

1.  The  walls  of  all  light  or  vent  shafts,  whether  exterior  or  in- 
terior, shall  extend  not  less  than  3 feet  above  the  level  of  the  roof  and 
he  coped. 

2.  In  all  buildings  other  than  private  dwellings  and  frame  build- 
ings, all  windows  opening  into  light  and  vent  shafts  shall  he  pro- 
tected by  fire  windows. 

Idem. 

356.  Enclosures  for  Stairway,  Elevator  and  Other  Shafts  in  N on- 
fireproof  Buildings. 

1.  In  every  non-fireproof  building  of  ordinary  construction  here- 
after erected  and  every  building  altered  or  remodeled  up  to  50  per  cent, 
of  its  value,  all  shafts  as  defined  in  Sections  557  to  560  shall 
he  constructed  as  herein  provided.  The  supporting  beams  or  frame- 
work in  the  shaft  shall  he  covered  with  metal  lath  or  plaster  hoard 
and  plastered  continuous  with  the  wall. 

2.  Where  desirable,  elevator  enclosures  may  he  of  metal  frame 
with  wire  glass  not  less  than  % inch  thick. 

3.  Walls  enclosing  such  shafts  shall  he  made  of  solid  gypsum  or 
hollow  terra  cotta  blocks  not  less  than  4 inches  thick,  supported  at 
vertical  intervals  not  exceeding  14  feet,  or  a 2-inch  solid1  metal  lath, 
or  plaster  board,  and  cement  plaster  partitions,  may  be  used  when 
supported  at  vertical  intervals  as  specified  for  blocks.  Walls  of  shafts 
exceeding  14  feet  in  height  between  floors  shall  he  made  of  blocks  as 
herein  specified  not  less  than  6 inches  thick  or  of  solid  plaster  parti- 
tions not  less  than  3 inches  thick,  and  the  height  of  said  walls  shall 
not  in  any  instance  exceed  20  feet,  and  the  supporting  beams  and 
frame  work  in  the  shaft  shall  be  covered  with  metal  lath  or  plaster 
hoard  and  plaster  continuously  with  the  walls. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


91 


4.  When  alterations  of  a minor  character  are  made  in  connection 
with  shafts  in  existing  buildings  and  if  in  the  judgment  of  the  Super- 
visor the  requirements  to  enclose  as  specified  in  paragraph  1 would  be 
a substantial  injustice  and  hardship  then  such  enclosing  wall  may  he 
constructed  with  not  less  than  2x4  wood  studs  spaced  not  over  2 feet 
apart  and  filled  in  between  with  solid  gypsum  blocks  not  less  than  4 
inches  thick  with  metal  lath  or  plaster  hoard  on  both  sides  and  cov- 
ered with  %-inch  cement  plaster. 

5.  In  all  cases  where  shafts  do  not  extend  through  the  roof  the 
ceiling  of  said  shaft  shall  be  of  incombustible  material  not  less  than 
2 inches  thick.  Where  shafts  extend  through  the  roof  they  shall  be  at 
least  3 feet  above  the  same  with  walls  of  the  same  thickness  as  re- 
quired in  upper  story  of  building,  or  of  same  construction  as  the  shaft 
below  and  covered  with  metal  or  other  weather-proof  incombustible 
material  on  the  Exterior  surface  and  shall  have  a skylight  as  specified 
in  Section  353,  paragraph  Ho.  7. 

6.  Stairways  in  such  buildings  above  first  floor  may  be  enclosed 
with  the  same  construction  as  hereinabove  noted. 

Tdem. 

357.  Shafts  and  Hoistways  in  Existing  Buitdings. 

1.  All  existing  buildings  over  two  stories  high,  which  are  used 
above  the  first  story  for  business  purposes  or  for  public  assemblage, 
or  for  any  purpose  whatever,  if  over  three  stories  high,  except  dwell- 
ings, the  stairway,  elevator  and  hoistway  shafts  being  remodeled,  re- 
built or  installed,  shall  be  separately  and  continuously  enclosed  by 
incombustible  partitions.  Such  partitions  or  enclosing  walls,  shall 
be  constructed  as  required  in  Sections  353  and  356  or  in  non-fire- 
proof  buildings,  a 3-inch  terra  cotta,  concrete,  or  gypsum  block  or 
tile;  or  a 2-inch  solid  metal  lath  and  cement  plaster  partition;  or  a 
2x4-inch  wooden  stud  partition  with  4-inch  dimension  at  right  angles 
to  the  wall  and  covered  on  each  side  with  metal  lath  and  not  less  than 
%-inch  cement  plaster,  or  by  %-inch  fibre  plaster  board  with  filled 
joints  and  covered  with  sheet  metal,  may  be  substituted  in  buildings 
not  exceeding  75  feet  in  height.  Self-closing  fire  doors  shall  be  used 
at  all  openings. 

2.  If  it  is  necessary  to  preserve  an  open  elevator  or  hoistway  in 
an  existing  building ; or  the  conditions  are  such  that  the  requirement 
to  enclose  would  be  a substantial  injustice  to  the  owner  or  occupant, 
the  above  requirements  may  be  waived ; but  the  floor  openings  through 
which  the  elevator  passes  shall  be  equipped  with  automatically  closing 


92 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


trap  doors  not  less  than  1%  inches  thick,  made  of  two  thicknesses 
of  matched  hoards,  covered  on  the  under  side  with  tin ; the  trap  doors 
when  closed  shall  extend  beyond  the  openings  on  all  sides.  Such  trap 
1 shall  he  protected  by  a substantial  guard  or  gate,  which  shall  be  kept 
closed  at  all  times  except  when  in  actual  use. 

Idem . 


PAET  XXI. 


Miscellaneous  Construction  Requirements. 

358.  Light  and  Ventilation. 

1.  In  all  buildings  every  sleeping  room  shall  be  provided  with  a 
window  or  windows  opening  directly  upon  a street,  yard  or  court,  ex- 
cept that  in  dwellings  a window  shall  not  be  required  in  a sleeping 
room  which  is  connected  by  an  archway  or  opening  containing  not  less 
than  50  square  feet  in  the  clear,  with  a room  other  than  a sleeping 
room  provided  with  at  least  two  windows  of  not  less  than  15  square 
feet  area  each  between  stop  heads,  and  opening  directly  on  a street  or 
yard. 

The  windows  of  every  sleeping  room  shall  have  an  area  of  not 
less  than  12  square  feet  between  stop  heads,  and  the  sash  shall  he  ar- 
ranged to  open  to  the  extent  of  one-half  their  area. 

2.  In  every  building,  other  than  a detached  dwelling  and  a dwell- 
ing occupied  by  not  more  than  one  family,  every  sleeping  room  shall 
he,  for  at  least  two-thirds  of  its  area,  not  less  than  8 feet  6 inches 
high  from  the  finished  floor  to  the  finished  ceiling,  and  shall  he  not 
less  than  7 feet  in  width  at  its  narrowest  point,  and  have  an  area 
of  not  less  than  70  square  feet,  except  that  in  hotels,  the  area  shall 
he  not  less  than  80  square  feet. 

3.  Xo  sleeping  room  shall  he  placed  in  any  story  the  ceiling  of 
which  is  less  than  4 feet  6 inches  above  the  curb  or  adjacent  ground 
level. 

4.  Lights  and  ventilation  of  sleeping  rooms  in  tenement  houses 
shall  be  as  required  in  Sections  600-602. 

Idem. 

359.  Floor  Lights. — Floor  lights  shall  have  metal  or  reinforced 
concrete  frames,  and  shall  be  of  the  same  strength  as  the  floors  in 
which  they  are  placed..  The  glass  in  floor  lights  shall  be  not  less 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


93 


than  %-inch  in  thickness,  and  if  any  glass  measures  more  than  16 
square  inches  there  shall  be  a wire  mesh,  either  in  the  glass  or'  under 

it. 

Idem. 

360.  Fire-stopping. 

1 Furred  Walls.  For  all  walls  furred  with  wood  the  masonry  be- 
tween the  ends  of  'wooden  beams  shall  project  the  thickness  of  the 
furring  beyond  the  inner  face  of  the  wall  for  the  full  depth  of  the 
beams ; or  a course  of  masonry  above  and  below  the  beams,  shall  pro- 
ject the  full  thickness  of  the  furring  beyond  the  face  of  the  wall.  In 
cases  where  floor  beams  are  parallel  to  a wall  furred  with  wood,  there 
shall  be  a space  of  not  less  than  2%  inches  between  such  wall  and  the 
nearest  beam.  This  space  shall  be  filled  in  solidly  with  brickwork, 
or  concrete  for  the  full  depth  of  the  floor  beams. 

2.  Studded-off  Spaces.  Where  walls  are  studded-off,  the  space 
between  the  inside  face  of  the  wall  and  the  studding  at  the  floor  level 
shall  be  fire-stopped  with  2-inch  thick  fire  blocking  of  same  width  as 
the  wall  and  placed  at  every  6 feet  in  the  height  thereof. 

3.  Partitions.  Where  stud  partitions  rest  directly  over  each 
other,  and  cross  the  wooden  floor  beams  at  any  angle,  they  shall  run 
down  between  the  floor  beams  and  rest  on  the  top  plate  of  the  parti- 
tion below,  and  shall  have  the  studding  filled  in  with  2-inch  fire 
blocking  between  the  uprights  at  each  floor  level.  Such  stops  shall 
be  arranged  to  entirely  separate  the  spaces  between  floor  beams  and 
those  between  partition  studs  in  a manner  to  effectually  cut  off  draft 
openings  from  story  to  story. 

When  sliding  doors  are  pocketed  in  partitions,  care  shall  be  ex- 
ercised to  insure  that  such  pockets  be  completely  fire-stopped  at  top 
and  bottom. 

4.  Wainscoting.  The  surface  of  the  walls  or  partitions  behind 
wainscoting  shall  be  plastered  flush  with  the  grounds  and  down  to 
the  floor  line. 

5.  Stairs.  The  space  between  stair  carriages  shall  be  fire-stopped 
at  least  once  in  the  middle  portion  of  each  run. 

6.  Ducts  and  Chases.  Ducts,  Chases,  or  shafts,  for  pipes,  wires, 
cables  and  for  similar  purposes,  shall  be  constructed  as  required  in 
Section  353-356  or  shall  be  fire-stopped  at  each  floor. 

Idem. 

361.  Requirements  in  N on- fireproof  Buildings  Used  for  Business 
and  Residence. 


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NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


All  ordinary  construction  in  non-fireproof  buildings  of  Classes 
C and  D over  two  stories,  or  35  feet  high,  where  the  lower  stories  or 
portions  thereof  are  used  for  business,  and  the  stories  above  for  resi- 
dence purposes,  shall  have  all  partitions  and  ceilings  separating  the 
business  portions  from  the  residence  portions,  covered  with  metal 
lath  or  ^-inch  fibre  plaster  board  and  plastered  with  cement  or  ce- 
ment-tempered plaster  to  a total  thickness  of  5/8  inch;  or  plaster 
board  may  be  covered  with  sheet  metal.  Or  other  equivalent  fire- 
proofing may  be  used.  There  shall  be  no  windows  in  such  partitions, 
and  all  other  openings  shall  be  protected  by  fire  doors. 

Stairway,  elevator  and  other  shafts  in  such  buildings,  shall  be  con- 
structed in  conformity  with  requirements  of  Section  356. 

Fire-stops  shall  also  be  provided  at  the  line  of  the  ceilings  to  com- 
pletely cut  off  all  communication  to  floors  above  through  hollow  stud 
partitions  or  side  walls,  as  required  by  Section  360,  paragraphs  1, 
2 and  3. 

Idem. 


PAET  XXII. 


Cellars,  Vaults,  Area  ways  and  Projecting  Structures. 

362.  Requirements  for  Cellars. 

1.  Drainage.  Before  the  walls  of  buildings  are  carried  above  the 
first  tier  of  beams,  the  cellar  shall  be  connected  with  the  sewer  and 
provided  with  a properly  screened  intake.  Should  there  be  no  sewer 
in  the  street,  or  if  the  cellar  is  below  water  or  sewer  level,  provision 
shall  be  made  to  prevent  water  accumulating  in  the  cellar,  to  the 
injury  of  the  foundation. 

2.  Floors.  Any  floor  laid  on  the  ground  shall  be  made  of  con- 
crete not  less  than  4 inches  thick.  Such  floors  and  the  exterior  walls 
shall  be  waterproofed  when  required  by  the  Supervisor. 

3.  Partitions.  Except  in  dwellings,  and  in  frame  buildings  out- 
side the  fire  limits,  all*  partitions  in  cellars,  excepting  partitions 
enclosing  fuel  bins,  shall  be  of  fireproof' construction. 

Idem. 

363.  Ceilings. — X o wooden  ceiling  shall  be  placed  on  the  over- 
head of  any  store  if  there  be  offices  or  sleeping  rooms  located  above 
same,  nor  on  the  basement  ceiling  of  any  hotel,  apartment,  flat,  or 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


95 


rooming  house,  but  all  such  ceilings  shall  be  contracted  of  approved 
sheet  metal  or  with  metal  lath,  or  i^-inch  plaster  hoard  and  surfaced 
with  two  coats  of  cement  plaster,  provided  that  wooden  panel  ribs 
and  mouldings  may  be  placed  flat  on  the  completed  face  of  such 
plastered  ceilings  in  stores  and  auditoriums  for  the  purpose  of  orna- 
mentation, and  further  provided  that  other  approved  ceiling  of  fire- 
proof materials  may  he  used. 

Idem. 

364.  Vaults  Under  Sidewalks. . 

1.  Where  a vault  is  built  under  the  sidewalk  a wall  shall  be  con- 
structed to  retain  the  adjacent  banks. 

2.  The  roofs  of  all  vaults  shall  be  of  approved  incombustible  ma- 
terial. Glass,  when  used  in  the  roofs  of  the  vaults,  shall  measure  not 
more  than  16  square  inches  in  one  light. 

3.  All  vaults  shall  be  thoroughly  ventilated. 

Idem. 

365.  Areaways,  and  Projections  Beyond  the  Building  Line. 

1.  No  railings,  steps,  or  any  portion  of  a building  or  structure 
shall  project  beyond  the  building  line  at  any  point  less  than  9 feet 
above  the  curb  level. 

2.  No  bay,  oriel  or  show  window  shall  project  beyond  the  building 
line  at  any  point.  When  erected  within  the  fire  limits  they  shall  be 
constructed  of  incombustible  material,  except  that  on  a dwelling  such 
window  may  be  permitted  of  wooden  framework  covered  with  incom- 
bustible material,  provided  it  does  not  extend  more  than  3 feet  above 
the  second-story  floor.  Cornices  of,  or  over  show  windows,  or  show 
fronts  more  than  9 feet  above  curb  level  may  project  not  more  than  12 
inches  beyond  building  line. 

3.  Alterations  or  repairs  to  areaways,  steps,  store  fronts,  or  pro- 
jections, or  show  windows  shall  be  subject  to  the  requirements  of  this 
section. 

Idem. 


PAKT  XXIII. 

“MiliA  Construction. 

366.  Definition. — “Mill”  Construction  (also  called  “Slow-burn- 
ing Construction”)  is  a term  applied  to  buildings  having  masonry 


96 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


walls  and  heavy  timber  interior  construction  with  no  concealed 
spaces.  Such  buildings  are  usually  occupied  for  factory  purposes, 
and  should  always  be  protected  by  a system  of  automatic  sprinklers. 

Idem.  , 

367.  Foundations,  and  Walls. 

1.  Foundations  shall  conform  to  the  requirements  of  Sections  273 
and'  274. 

2.  Outside  walls  shall  be  of  masonry  and  shall  conform  as  to  con- 
struction and  thickness  to  the  requirements  of  Section  282. 

3.  Fire  and  party  walls  shall  he  of  masonry,  and  the  thickness 
and  construction  shall  conform  to  the  requirements  of  Sections  282- 
284-285  and  286.  Parapets  shall  project  to  cut-off  overhang  of  roof 
if  any,  and  special  parapets  shall  be  provided  where  monitors  or  roof 
lanterns  are  near  fire  walls. 

Idem. 

368.  Protection  of  Wall  Openings. 

1.  Openings  in  exterior  walls  shall  he  protected  with  approved 
fire  doors  or  shutters,  or  if  the  exposure  is  not  too  great,  approved 
wired  glass  windows  may  he  used.  The  openings  to  he  protected  shall 
be  as  specified  in  this  section  and  Section  351. 

2.  All  openings  such  as  shafts  and  belt  holes,  etc.,  shall  he  avoided 
where  possible,  but  where  they  are  necessary  they  shall  he  protected 
by  approved  fire  shutters. 

3.  All  windows  and  other  openings  in  side  walls  of  buildings  for 
a distance  of  at  least  10  feet  each  side  of  a fire  wall,  and  shall  be  pro- 
tected as  called  for  in  (1.) 

4.  Where  main  sections  are  separated  by  fire  walls  and  adjoin  so 
as  to  form  an  angle,  all  window  or  other  openings  in  side  walls  for  a 
distance  of  not  less  than  30  feet  from  the  angle,  shall  be  protected 
as  called  for  in  (1.)  Where  minor  sections,  such  as  boiler  or  engine 
houses,  adjoin,  the  above  rule  need  apply  only  to  main  sections  of 
buildings.  Where  there  are  no  openings  in  one  section  within  10 
feet  of  the  fire  wall,  the  other  section  need  not  be  protected. 

5.  When  buildings  of  different  heights  adjoin,  all  windows  of 
the  higher  section  above  the  roof  of  the  lower  sections,  as  well  as  all 
windows  within  10  feet  of  the  fire  wall  on  each  section,  shall  be  pro- 
tected as  called  for  in  (1.) 

6.  Openings  in  fire  walls  shall  be  protected  as  required  in  Sec- 
tion 285. 

Idem, 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


97 


369.  Columns  and  Girders  or  Floor  Timbers. 

1.  Columns,  if  of  timber,  shall  be  not  less  than  8 inches  in  smallest 
cross  sectional  dimensions,  preferably  all  corners  should  be  rounded 
or  chamfered. 

2.  Wooden  columns  shall  be  superimposed  throughout  all  stories 
on  iron  or  steel  post  caps  with  brackets. 

3.  Iron  or  steel  columns  or  girders  may  be  used  if  protected  as 
required  in  Section  378. 

4.  Wooden  girders  or  floor  timbers  shall  be  suitable  for  the  load 
carried,  but  in  no  case  less  than  6 inches  either  dimension,  and  shall 
rest  on  iron  plates  on  wall  ledges  and  where  entering  walls  shall  be 
self-releasing.  Walls  may  be  corbeled  out  to  support  floor  timbers 
where  necessary.  The  corbeling  shall  not  exceed  2 inches. 

5.  So  far  as  possible,  girders  or  floor  timbers  shall  be  single  stick. 

6.  Where  wooden  beams  enter  walls  on  opposite  sides,  there  shall 
be  at  least  12  inches  of  masonry  between  ends  of  beams,  and  in  no 
case  shall  they  enter  more  than  one-quarter  the  thickness  of  the  wall. 

Idem. 

370.  Floors. 

1.  Floors  shall  be  not  less  than  — 2%-inch  dressed  splined  or 
tongued  and  grooved  plank  covered  with  %-inch  dressed  flooring  laid 
crossways,  or  diagonally.  Top  flooring  shall  not  extend  closer  than 
%-inch  to  walls  so  as  to  allow  for  swelling  in  case  floor  becomes  wet. 
This  space  shall  be  covered  by  a moulding  so  arranged  that  it  will 
not  obstruct  movement  of  the  flooring. 

2.  All  exposed  woodwork  in  interior  construction  shall  be  planed 
smooth. 

3.  Basement  floor  may  be  concrete  or  any  other  incombustible 
material. 

4.  Pipes  or  conduits  extending  through  floors  shall  be  fitted  with 
metal  thimbles  and  made  watertight  to  a distance  of  3 inches  above 
floor. 

Idem. 

371.  Roofs , Skylights,  and  Cornices. 

1.  Poofs  shall  be  of  plank  and1  timber  construction  and  flat,  ex- 
cept for  pitch  necessary  for  proper  drainage.  Plank  shall  be  not  less 
than  2y8  inches  dressed  splined,  or  tongued  and  grooved.  Timbers 
shall  be  not  less  than  6 inches  either  dimension  and  shall  be  single 
stick. 


98 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Both  roof  timbers  and  planks  shall  he  self-releasing  as  regards 
walls. 

2.  Roof  coverings  shall  comply  with  requirements  of  Section  343 
as  specified  for  buildings  within  fire  limits. 

3.  Skylights  shall  he  built  according  to  the  requirements  of  Sec- 
tion 349. 

4.  Cornices  shall  comply  with  the  requirements  of  Section  348. 

Idem. 

372.  Partitions. — Partitions  shall  be  constructed  of  incombus- 
tible material  or  of  2-inch  matched  plank  or  double  matched  boards 
with  joints  broken,  preferably  coated  with  fire-retarding  paint. 

Idem. 

373.  Stairways  and  Elevators. 

1.  Stairways  and  elevators  shall  preferably  be  enclosed  by  brick 
walls  at  least  12  inches  thick,  or  reinforced  concrete  not  less  than 
8 inches  thick.  Where  one  or  more  brick  walls  of  stairway  or  ele- 
vator shafts  are  less  than  8 feet  on  a side  and  contain  no  doorways, 
they  may  be  8 inches  thick,  but  no  wall  of  such  thickness  shall  ex- 
tend more  than  one  story  in  height. 

v 2.  When  such  shafts  are  inside  of  a building  the  walls  shall  pierce 
all  floors  and  extend  at  least  3 feet  above  roof. 

3.  Approved  fire  doors  shall  be  installed'  at  all  openings  into 
shafts.  Those  for  stairway  and  power  shafts  shall  be  self-closing. 

4.  Interior  windows  in  shaft  are  prohibited. 

Idem. 


PART  XXIV. 


Fireproof  Construction,  and  Pire-proofing. 

374.  General  Requirements  for  Fireproof  Buildings. 

1.  The  walls  of  every  fireproof  building  shall  be1  constructed 
as  specified  in  Sections  277-2 S 6.  The  floor  and  roof  construction 
shall  conform  to  the  construction  and  test  requirements  specified  in 
Sections  375-377.  Reinforced  concrete  buildings  constructed  as  spec- 
ified in  Part  XXII,  shall  be  classed  as  fireproof  construction. 

2.  The  space  between  the  floor  arches  or  slabs  and  the  floor  finish 
shall  be  solidly  filled  with  concrete  as  specified  in  Section  437.  The 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


99 


filling  beneath  wooden  flooring  shall  he  made  fhish  with  the  under 
side  of  the  floor  boards. 

3.  In  buildings  of  Class  E,  except  stables,  also  in  apartment 
houses,  clubs  and  hotels,  when  of  fireproof  construction,  the  floors 
may  preferably  be  made  impervious  to  water ; and  arranged  to  drain 
to  scuppers  or  interior  drainage  pipes,  provision  being  made  to  dis- 
charge water  at  the  rate  of  300  gallons  per  minute  per  each  1000 
square  feet  of  floor  area. 

4.  Except  as  permitted1  in  Section  301,  paragraph  1,  all  shafts 
and  public  hallways  shall  be  enclosed  and  separated  from  the  rest  of 
the  floor  space  by  fire-resistive  enclosures,  as  specified  in  Sections 
353  and  379  and  shall  have  floor  surfaces  and  trim  of  approved  in- 
combustible material.  The  stairs  and  stairway  landings  shall  be  of 
approved  incombustible  material. 

5.  Ho  woodwork  or  other  combustible  material  shall  be  used  in 
the  construction  of  any  fireproof  building,  except  wooden  floor 
sleepers,  grounds,  bucks,  and  nailing  blocks  when  entirely  embedded 
in  incombustible  material ; also  the  finish  flooring,  and  interior  doors 
and  windows,  when  not  otherwise  specified,  with  their  frames,  trim, 
and  casings;  also  interior  finish  when  backed  solidly  with  fireproof 
material,  may  be  of  wood. 

6.  Exterior  wall  openings  shall  be  protected  as  required  in  Sec- 
tion 351. 

Idem. 

375.  Fireproofing , Floor  and  Roof  Construction. 

1.  Fireproof  construction  between  steel  floor  or  roof  beams,  shall 
consist  of  segmental  arches  of  brick  or  concrete,  or  of  segmental  or 
flat  arches  of  hollow  terra  cotta,  or  reinforced. cinder,  stone,  or  gravel 
concrete ; or  of  such  other  equally  fire-resisting  material  or  construc- 
tion as  may  be  approved  by  the  Supervisor  after  fire,  water,  and 
strength  tests. 

2.  All  segmental  arches  shall  have  a rise  of  l1/^  inches  to  the  foot 
of  span.  Steel  tie-rods  of  proper  size  spacing,  and  location  shall  be 
used  in  all  arches  to  properly  resist  the  thrust.  Such  tie  rods  shall 
be  completely  encased  to  a depth  of  at  least  2 inches  in  fireproofing 
material  which  shall  extend  into  and  be  anchored  to  the  arch. 

3.  The  spacing  of  floor  or  roof  beams  in  fireproof  construction 
shall  not  exceed  8 feet  on  centers  except  when  the  slabs  between  them 
are  composed  of  reinforced  stone  or  gravel  concrete,  in  which  case 
they  shall  be  limited  by  the  design  according  to  Section  398,  etc. 


100 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


4.  Brick  Arches.  Segmental  arches  of  brick  shall  have  a thick- 
ness of  not  less  than  4 inches  for  spans  of  3 feet  or  less,  and  8 inches 
for  spans  exceeding  3 feet  and  not  exceeding  8 feet.  Brick  arches 
shall  be  composed  of  good,  hard  common  or  hollow  brick.  The  brick 
shall  be  laid  to  a line  on  the  centers  and  properly  and  solidly  bonded ; 
each  longitudinal  line  of  brick  shall  break  joints  with  the  adjoining 
lines.  The  arches  shall  spring  from  suitably  designed  solid  skewbacks 
made  of  the  same  materials  as  the  arches,  and  he  properly  keyed.  The 
brick  shall  be  well  wet  before  laying,  and  the  joints  solidly  filled  with 
mortar. 

5.  Terra  Cotta  Arches.  Hollow  terra  cotta  tile  used  for  floor  or 
roof  arches  shall  be  hard  burned  or  semi-porous  and  of  uniform  den- 
sity and  hardness.  All  terra  cotta  arches  shall  be  properly  keyed. 
The  key  blocks  shall  always  be  placed  within  the  middle  third  of  the 
span. 

Segmental  arches  shall  have  sufficient  depth  between  the  top  and 
bottom  faces  to  carry  the  load  to  he  imposed,  but  not  less  than  6 
inches.  The  tile  shall  have  at  least  two  cellular  spaces  in  the  depth. 

Flat  arches  shall  have  a depth  of  not  less  than  1%  inches  for  each 
foot  of  span  between  the  beams,  this  not  to  include  any  portion  of  the 
depth  of  tile  that  projects  below  the  under  side  of  the  beams.  The 
total  depth  shall  in  no  case  be  less  than  9 inches,  and  the  tile  shall 
have  not  less  than  three  cellular  spaces  in  the  depth. 

The  shells  of  arch  blocks  shall  be  not  less  than  % inch  in  thick- 
ness, and  the  webs  shall  be  not  less  than  5/8  inch  in  thickness.  E^ery 
arch  block  shall  have  at  least  one  continuous  vertical  internal  web  for 
each  4 inches  in  width.  There  shall  be  rounded  fillets  at  all  internal 
intersections.  The  skewbacks  of  all  hollow  tile  arches  shall  be  of 
such  form  and  section  as  to  accurately  fit  the  beams  and  properly 
receive  the  thrust  of  the  arches,  and  shall  have  shells  at  least  1 inch 
thick,  and  webs  not  less  than  %-inch  thick,  or  tile  of  standard  man- 
ufacture may  be  used  'provided  working  stresses  specified  herein  are 
complied  with. 

The  safe  working  load  on  terra  cotta  arches  shall  be  determined 
by  design  or  by  test  as  specified  in  Section  440.  The  allowable  ex- 
treme fibre  stress  in  compression  in  terra  cotta  floor  tile  shall  he  taken 
as  500  pounds  per  square  inch  on  net  section. 

G.  Concrete  Arches  and  Slabs.  All  segmental  arches  or  flat 
slabs  of  reinforced  concrete  shall  be  designated  and  construced  in 
accordance  with  the  requirements  of  this  section  and  of  Parts  XXVI 
or  XXVII. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


101 


7.  Roofs.  Hollow  terra  cotta  or  concrete  tile,  or  solid  gypsum 
blocks,  may  be  used  for  fireproofing  between  the  steel  framework  of 
roof  construction;  but  such  tile  or  blocks  shall  be  not  less  than  3 
inches  thick  or  tile  less  than  2 inches  thick,  and  the  supporting  steel 
members  shall  be  spaced  not  more  than  25  inches  on  centers.  When 
solid  blocks  or  tile  are  properly  reinforced  to  resist  the  bending 
stresses,  the  steel  supporting  members  may  be  spaced  not  to  exceed 
-30  inches  apart.  The  bottom  flanges  of  steel  members  shall  be  pro- 
tected as  elsewhere  provided. 

Idem. 

376.  Fireproofing , Protection  of  Structural  Members. 

1.  Protection  of  Wall  Columns.  All  columns  which  support 
steel  girders  carrying  exterior  walls,  and  all  columns  which  are  built 
into  walls  and  support  floors  only,  shall  be  protected  against  corro- 
sion by  a coating  of  Portland  cement  mortar  at  least  ^4-inch  thick, 
and  against  moisture  and  fire  by  a casing  of  masonry,  which  shall  be 
not  less  than  4 inches  of  brick  or  2 inches  of  concrete  on  all  surfaces ; 
all  to  be  well  bonded  into  the  masonry  of  the  enclosing  walls. 

2.  Protection  of  Wall  Girders.  The  wall  girders  shall  have  a cas- 
ing of  Portland  cement  mortar  and  the  same  masonry  protection  as 
required  for  wall  columns,  all  to  be  securely  tied  and  bonded;  but 
the  extreme  outer  edge  of  the  flanges  of  beams,  or  plates  or  angles 
connected  to  the  beams  may  project  within  1%  inches  of  the  outside 
surface  of  such  casing.  The  inside  surfaces  of  the  girders  shall  be 
similarly  protected  by  masonry,  or  if  projecting  inside  the  walls, 
they  shall  be  protected  by  concrete,  terra  cotta,  or  other  approved 
fireproof  material  not  less  than  1%  inches  thick. 

3.  All  metal  structural  members  which  support  loads  or  resist 
stresses,  other  than  those  provided  for  by  the  two  preceding  para- 
graphs, shall  have  a protection  of  fireproofing  as  herein  specified. 
The  protection  material  shall  be  brick,  concrete,  terra  cotta,  or  gyp- 
sum block.  Concrete  shall  be  of  the  quality  prescribed  in  Sections 
427-433;  terra  cotta  may  be  solid  or  hollow,  and  shall  be  porous  or 
semi-porous;  neither  shells  nor  webs  shall  be  less  than  5/8  inch  thick; 
gypsum  blocks  shall  be  solid  and  of  quality  approved  by  the  Super- 
visor. Plaster  shall  not  be  considered  a part  of  any  required  fire- 
proofing for  metal  structural  members  except  where  specifically  men- 
tioned as  such.  See  paragraph  8,  also  Section  378. 

4.  All  bricks  or  blocks  used  for  fireproofing  shall  be  set  in  Portland 
cement  mortar,  except  that  gypsum  blocks  may  be  set  in  gypsum 
mortar. 


102 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


5.  Interior  Columns. 

(a)  The  protection  shall  cover  the  columns  at  all  points  to  a 
thickness  of  not  less  than  2 inches  and  be  continuous  from  the  base 
to  the  top  of  the  column.  The  extreme  outer  edges  of  lugs,  brackets, 
and  similar  supporting  metal  may  project  to  within  1 inch  of  the 
outer  surface  of  the  protection. 

(b)  If  brick  or  blocks  are  used  for  fireproofing  columns,  they 
shall  be  accurately  fitted,  laid  with  broken  joints,  and  all  spaces  be- 
tween the  outside  layer  and  the  metal  solidly  filled  with  masonry ; or 
a concrete  filling  may  be  used.  Ho  voids  between  the  metal  and  the 
protecting  casing  shall  be  permitted. 

(c)  Galvanized  steel  wire  not  smaller  than  Ho.  12  gauge,  shall 
be  securely  wrapped  around  block  column  coverings  so*  that  every 
block  is  crossed  at  least  once  by  a wire.  The  wire  shall  not  be  wound 
spirally  around  the  column,  but  each  turn  or  band  shall  be  a separate 
unit  and  shall  be  twisted  tightly  or  otherwise  securely  bound.  Other 
equivalent  anchorage  may  be  employed  if  approved  by  the  Super- 
visor. Ho  block  used  for  this  purpose  shall  exceed  12  inches  in  ver- 
tical dimension. 

(d)  Columns  located  in  damp  places  shall  receive  a coat  of  at 
least  %-inch  of  Portland  cement  mortar  before  application  of  the 
fireproofing. 

(e)  Columns  made  of  steel  or  wrought  iron  pipe  filled  with  con- 
crete, shall  be  protected  by  at  least  1%  inches  of  fireproofing. 

(f)  Where  the  fireproofing  of  columns  is  exposed  to  damage  from 
trucking  or  handling  of  merchandise,  the  fireproofing  shall  be  jacketed 
on  the  outside  for  a height  of  not  less  than  3 feet  from  the  floor  with 
metal  or  other  approved  covering. 

6.  Protection  of  Steel  Girders  and  Beams. 

(a)  The  protection  of  the  webs  and  bottom  flanges  of  girders  and 
all  members  of  trusses  shall  have  a thickness  of  not  less  than  1% 
inches  at  all  points.  The  protection  of  the  webs  and  . bottom  flanges 
of  beams,  lintels,  and1  all  other  structural  members  shall  be  not  less 
than  1 inch  at  any  point. 

(b)  If  hollow  terra  cotta  tile  be  used  for  protection,  the  lower 
flanges  of  beams  and  similar  members  shall  be  encased  either  by  lugs 
which  form  part  of  the  skewbacks  and  extend  around  the  flanges  meet- 
ing at  the  middle ; or  by  tile  slabs  held  in  position  by  dove-tailed  lugs 
projecting  from  the  skewbacks.  In  either  case  care  shall  be  taken  to 
insure  that  all  joints  be  solidly  filled  with  mortar. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


103 


7.  Concrete  protection  for  all  structural  members  shall  be  held 
in  position  by  suitably  designed  interior . steel  anchors  hooked  se- 
curely around  the  flanges  or  angles  of  the  members  at  intervals;  not 
exceeding  12  inches  apart;  these  anchors  shall  be  not  less  than  % 
inch  in  thickness  if  flat  or  1/10  inch  in  diameter  if  wire,  and  shall 
be  located  at  a distance  not  less  than  % inch,  nor  more  than  % inch 
from  the  outside  surface.  Provision  shall  be  made  to  prevent  dis- 
placement of  anchors  while  concrete  is  being  deposited.  When  the 
flange  width  of  steel  members  exceed  6 inches,  the  wire  used  for 
anchoring  the  concrete  protection  shall  be  not  less  than  % inch  diam- 
eter. 

8.  Steel  angle  or  channel  struts,  or  other  structural  framing  not 
elsewhere  provided  for,  which  are  used  for  support  in  any  wall,  par- 
tition, or  other  construction,  shall  be  fireproofed  as  required  in  this 
section  or  in  Section  379,  paragraph  4. 

Idem. 

377.  Miscellaneous  Fireproofing  Provisions. 

1.  Defective  or  damaged  fireproofing  materials  shall  not  be  used. 
All  fireproof  construction  injured  or  damaged  after  being  erected 
shall  be  repaired  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Supervisor  before  any  fill- 
ing or  finish  is  placed  over  same. 

2.  No  pipes,  wires,  cables  or  other  material  shall  be  embedded  in 
the  required  fireproof  protection  of  columns  or  other  structural  mem- 
bers. 

3.  All  metal  lath  and  plaster  ceilings  shall  be  supported  by 
hangers  of  clamps  attached  to  the  floor  or  roof  construction  in  an 
approved  manner.  Such  supports  shall  be  of  such  section  and  weight 
as  will  support  the  west  plaster  without  deflecting  more  than  1/30 
inch  per  foot  of  span. 

4.  All  studding  for  metal  lath  partitions  or  wall  furring  shall  be 
of  sufficient  size  to  carry  the  weight  imposed  and  shall  be  spaced  not 
more  than  16  inches  on  center,  provided  that  this  clause  shall  not  be 
interpreted  to  prohibit  the  use  of  approved  2-inch  thick  solid  plaster 
board  or  plaster  partitions  with  spacing  of  24  inches  or  the  use  of  ap- 
proved 2-inch  thick  solid  reinforced  metal  lath  and  plaster  partitions 
with  spacing  up  to  36  inches,  or  if  the  metal  lath  is  sufficiently  rein- 
forced with  integral  stiffening  members  the  metal  studs  may  be  elim- 
inated. 

5.  Metal  lath  may  be  either  of  galvanized  or  painted  steel  or  iron 
of  standard  weight  per  square  yard  for  the  gauge  specified.  Wire 


104 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


lath  shall  not  be  less  than  21  gauge  and  sheet  metal  lath  not  less  than 
26  gauge,  'provided  that  metal  lath  may  he  28  gauge  only  when  rein- 
forced by  approved  integral  stiffeners  or  when  plastered  with  Port- 
land cement  mortar.  Metal  lath  shall  be  laced  to  supporting  metal 
furring  or  studs  with  galvanized  wire  at  intervals  not  exceeding  6 
inches,  except  that  where  metal  clips  are  provided  for  this  purpose  on 
metal  furring  studs  or  joist  the  wire  lacing  need  not  be  used. 

6.  After  floors  are  constructed,  no  opening  greater  than  2 square 
feet  shall  be  cut  through  them  unless  suitable  metal  framing  or  rein- 
forcing is  provided  around  the  opening.  After  pipes  or  conduits  are 
in  place,  all  openings  around  them  shall  be  filled  in  solidly  with  fire- 
proofing .material  unless  approved  close  fitting  individual  sleeves  are 
provided  as  specified  herein. 

Idem. 

378.  Protection  of  Metal  Structural  Members  in  N on-Fireproof 
Buildings. — Steel  girders  and  steel  or  iron  columns  which  support 
masonry  walls,  other  than  those  facing  upon  a street,  shall  be  pro- 
tected by  at  least  1%  inches  of  fireproofing  of  the  same  materials ; or 
by  1%  inches  of  metal  lath  and  cement  plaster  ; the  latter  being  ap- 
plied in  two  layers  with  an  air  space  between  them.  All  other  iron  or 
steel  columns  shall  be  protected  by  at  least  1 inch  of  metal  lath  and 
cement  plaster  or  its  equivalent.  The  lath  shall  be  of  quality  speci- 
fied in  Section  377. 

Idem. 

379.  Partitions  in  Fireproof  Buildings. 

1.  In  fireproof  buildings,  all  partitions  enclosing  public  halls  or 
separating  the  spaces  occupied  by  different  tenants,  and  all  other  per- 
manent partitions,  shall  be  built  not  less  than  4 inches  thick  if  of 
solid  or  hollow  brick,  terra  cotta,  concrete,  or  gypsum  blocks  or  tile; 
other  partitions  if  of  reinforced  concrete  shall  be  not  less  than  3 
inches  thick  or  2 inches  thick  if  of  solid  metal  lath  and  cement  plaster ; 
or  of  such  other  incombustible  materials  and  thickness  as  shall  meet 
the  requirements  of  the  partition  fire  test  as  prescribed  in  Section 
439,  paragraph  4.  The  required  thickness  for  block  or  tile  partitions 
shall  be  exclusive  of  plaster.  All  such  partitions  shall  be1  securely 
fastened  to  the  fireproof  construction  of  the  floor  and  ceiling.  All 
bricks,  blocks  or  tile  shall  be  laid  with  broken  joints. 

2.  All  partitions  not  enumerated  above  shall  be  of  incombustible 
materials,  except  for  woodwork  permitted  in  Section  374. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


105 


3.  All  partitions  in  fireproof  buildings  shall  be  independently 
supported  at  each  floor  level,  and  which  lateral  support  is  not  suffi- 
cient they  shall  be  stiffened  by  steel  reinforcement  encased  in  the  con- 
struction. 

4.  Structural  steel  members  necessary  for  supporting  a parti- 
tion, shall  be  protected  by  at  least  1 inch  of  fireproofing.  Cement 
plaster,  or  cement-tempered  plaster  may  be  accepted  for  this  purpose 
if  properly  keyed. 

5.  Reinforced  concrete  for  partitions  shall  be  as  required  in  Sec- 
tions 374-390  and  427-433.  Terra  cotta  tile  shall  be  porous  or  semi- 
porous  in  quality,  and  if  hollow,  shall  have  two  cells  in  the  thickness, 
with  the  thickness  of  shells  inclusive  of  plaster  key,  not  less  than  % 
inch,  and  the  thickness  of  webs  not  less  than  5/8  inch.  The  shells 
and  webs  of  hollow  gypsum  or  concrete  blocks  or  tile  shall  be  not  less 
than  % inch.  Gypsum  shall  be  used  only  in  dry  locations.  Metal 
lath  and  studding  shall  conform  to  the  requirements  of  Section  377. 

6.  All  openings  in  public  hallway  partitions  shall  preferably  be 
protected  by  approved  fire  doors  or  fire  windows.  Approved  fire 
doors  may  be  permitted  in  a partition  separating  tenants  in  a build- 
ing, but  no  glass  shall  be  permitted  in  openings  in  such  partitions. 

7.  If  a stair  hallway  be  considered  as  a part  of  the  stairway,  and 
the  latter  is  not  separately  enclosed  as  required  by  Section  353,  then 
the  enclosing  partitions  for  the  hallway  shall  be  considered  as  the 
stairway  shaft,  and  shall  be  built  acording  to  the  requirements  of 
Section  353. 

8.  If  the  partition  surrounding  a public  hallway  be  erected  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  requirements  for  a fire  exit  partition,  it  may  be 
considered  as  a horizontal  exit  for  an  occupancy  equal  to  area  of  the 
hallway  in  square  feet  divided  by  three. 

Idem. 

380.  Fire-Resistive  Partitions  in  N on-Fireproof  Buildings. 

1.  In  non-fireproof  buildings  of  Classes  B,  C,  D,  and  E,  all  par- 
titions enclosing  public  hallways,  or  separating  the  spaces  occupied 
by  different  tenants,  shall  either  be  built  as  required  in  Section  379, 
or  they  may  be  built  of  not  less  than  3-inch  approved  solid  or  hollow 
partition  blocks  or  tile,  or  by  3-inch  hollow  or  2-inch  solid  metal  stud- 
ding and  lath  with  cement  plaster,  or  by  2x4-inch  wooden  studding 
with  metal  lath  and1  % inch  of  cement  or  cement-tempered  plaster 
on  each  side;  or  of  any  other  materials  and  thickness  as  shall  meet 


106 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


the  requirements  of  the  partition  fire  test  as  prescribed  in  Section 
439,  paragraph  4.  Wooden  studs  shall  be  set  with  the  4-inch  dimen- 
sion at  right  angles  to  the  plane  of  the  wall,  and  fire  blocked  at  least 
every  6 feet  in  the  height. 

2.  All  such  partitions  shall  be  fire-stopped  the  full  depth  of  the 
floor  beams  at  each  floor  level  in  the  manner  specified  in  Section  360. 

3.  Openings  in  such  partitions  shall  preferably  be  protected  by 
fire  doors  and  windows  as  specified  in  Section  379. 

4.  The  principles  governing  hallway  partition  construction  as 
stated  in  Section  379,  paragraphs  7 and  8,  shall  apply  to  the  construc- 
tion of  like  partitions  in  non-fireproof  buildings,  consistent  with  the 
requirements  of  Section  356  for  such  construction. 

Idem. 


PAKT  XXV. 


381.  Pressed  Steel  Construction. 

1.  Pressed  steel  may  be  used  in  all  buildings,  or  parts  of  build- 
ings, where  the  allowable  floor  loads,  as  specified  in  Section  295  does 
not  exceed  100  pounds  per  square  foot. 

2.  Such  construction  shall  be  designed  in  accordance  with  the 
allowable  working  stresses  provided  in  this  Code  for  rolled  steel,  and 
other  regulations,  limiting  the  strength  of  columns  (Section  297, 
paragraph  2,)  unsupported  length  of  the  compression  flange  (Section 
328)  deduction  of  area  cut  out  by  rivet  polls  and  prongs  as  effective 
net  area,  etc. 

3.  Fire  proofing  of  pressed  steel  floor  construction  shall  consist 
of  not  less  than  2 inches  of  concrete  on  top  of  beams,  and  one  inch  of 
cement  plaster  on  metal  lath  underneath.  Pressed  steel  stud  walls 
and  partitions  shall  be  fire  proofed  with  not  less  than  one  inch  metal 
lath  and  cement  plaster  and  all  structural  steel  supporting  members 
shall  be  fire  proofed  as  provided  in  this  Code. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


107 


PART  XXVI. 


Reinforced  Concrete  Construction. 

General  Requirements. 

382.  Definition. — The  term  “reinforced*  concrete”  in  this  Code 
shall  mean  an  approved  concrete  mixture  in  which  steel  is  embedded 
in  such  a manner  as  to  resist  the  tensile  stresses  and  to  add  rigidity 
and  strength  to  concrete  in  compression. 

Idem. 

383.  Approved  for  all  Types  of  Buildings.  Reinforced  concrete 
will  be  approved  for  all  types  of  building  construction,  provided  the 
design  conforms  with  good  engineering  practice,  and  the  working 
stresses  do  not  exceed  those  herein  specified.  The  construction  shall 
meet  the  requirements  of  this  Code  in  all  respects. 

Idem. 

384.  Construction  Plans  and  Specifications. 

1.  The  plans  and  specifications  required  to  be  filed  with  the  Su- 
pervisor shall  be  accompanied  by  a written  certificate  of  the  architect 
or  engineer  certifying  that  the  general  arrangement  of  the  entire  con- 
struction in  all  important  details,  including  the  size,  length,  the  quali- 
ties, proportions,  and  the  dead  and  live  loads  each  fioor  is  designed  to 
carry  are  in  conformity  with  the  provisions  of  this  Code. 

2.  All  such  plans  and  specifications  shall  be  signed  by  the  archi- 
tect, engineer,  contractor  or  person  applying  for  the  permit.  In  no 
case  shall  the  construction  deviate  from  the  approved  plans  and  speci- 
fications except  by  written  consent  of  the  Supervisor.  (See  Sec.  25 Jf..) 

Idem. 

Specifications  for  Materials. 

385.  Quality  of  Concrete. 

1.  The  concrete  shall  consist  of  a*  mixture  of  a plastic  or  viscous 
consistency  of  one  part  of  cement  to  not  more  than  six  parts  of  aggre- 
gate, fine  and  coarse,  either  in  the  proportion  of  one  part  of  cement, 
two  parts  of  sand  and  four  parts  of  stone  or  gravel,  or  in  such  pro- 
portion as  to  produce  a maximum  density.  Such  concrete  shall  de- 
velop a crushing  strength  of  at  least  2,000  lbs.  per  square  inch  at  28 
days  when  made  under  laboratory  conditions  of  manufacture;  the 


108 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


materials  and  consistency  being  practically  the  same  as  that  used  in 
the  field.  Test  specimens  shall  be  removed  from  moulds  as  soon  as 
well  set  and  stored  in  damp  sand  until  tested. 

2.  Concrete  in  the  proportion  of  one  part  of  cement  to  four  and 
one-half  parts  of  aggregate,  which  may  be  desirable  for  special  work 
such  as  columns,  shall  develop  a crushing  strength  of  not  less  than 
2,400  pounds  per  square  inch  at  28  days,  and  the  working  stress 
of  such  concrete  may  be  increased  20  per  cent,  over  that  permitted 
elsewhere  in  this  Part. 

3.  Each  test  shall  consist  of  a set  of  at  least  three  duplicate  speci- 
mens in  the  shape  of  cylinders  with  a height  of  double  the  diameter ; 
or  cubes  having  a least  dimension  of  6 inches.  Cubes  shall  be  tested 
standing  on  bed  and  75  per  cent,  of  the  resulting  test  strength  shall 
be  assumed  as  the  strength  of  the  standard  cylinder  specimen  8 inches 
in  diameter  and  16  inches  high.  The  average  of  the  three  tests  shall 
be  taken  as  the  result  for  record.  The  smallest  dimension  of  the  test 
piece  should  be  at  least  four  times  the  size  of  the  coarsest  particle  of 
stone. 

4.  In  addition  to  these  preliminary  tests  which  are  necessary  for 
the  purpose  of  design,  the  Supervisor  may  require  additional  tests 
to  be  made  upon  specimens  cast  during  construction  of  the  building. 
The  test  specimens  shall  be  secured  at  such  times  and  in  such  portions 
of  the  structure  as  the  Supervisor  may  direct.  This  test  concrete  may 
be  taken  from  the  barrows  as  the  concrete  is  being  wheeled  to  place 
or  from  the  forms  after  it  is  deposited.  The  results  of  such  tests  shall 
be  considered  in  conjunction  with  the  test  of  workmanship  described 
in  Section  442. 

Idem. 

386.  Quality  of  Cement. — All  cement  used  in  reinforced  con- 
crete shall  be  Portland  cement  meeting  the  requirements  of  Section 
317. 

Idem. 

387.  Quality  of  Fine  Aggregate. 

1.  The  fine  aggregate  shall  consist  of  sand,  crushed  stone  or  gravel 
screenings  passing  when  dry  a screen  having  four  meshes  to  the  lineal 
inch;  provided,  not  more  than  10  per  cent,  shall  pass  a screen  having 
100  meshes  to  the  lineal  inch.  It  shall  be  clean,  coarse,  or  hard, 
durable  material  and  shall  contain  not  more  than  5 per  cent,  of  loam 
and  other  deleterious  matter,  and  that  not  more  than  50  per  cent,  shall 
pass  a sieve  having  50  meshes  per  lineal  inch. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


109 


2.  Fine  aggregate  shall  always  be  tested.  It  shall  he  of  such 
quality  that  mortar  composed  of  one  part  Portland  cement  and  three 
parts  fine  aggregate  by  weight,  when  made  into  briquettes  shall  show 
a tensile  strength  at  least  equal  to  the  strength  of  1 : 3 mortar  of  the 
same  consistency  made  with  the  same  cement  and  standard  sand,  and 
shall  show  a tensile  strength  of  at  least  180  pounds  per  square  inch 
at  the  age  of  seven  days.  If  the  aggregate  be  of  poorer  quality,  the 
proportion  of  cement  should  be  increased  to  secure  the  desired  strength. 

Idem. 

388.  Quality  of  Coarse  Aggregate. 

1.  Coarse  aggregate  shall  consist  of  crushed  stone  or  gravel  which 
is  retained  on  a screen  having  ^4-inch  diameter  holes,  and  shall  be 
graded  in  size  from  small  to  large  particles.  The  maximum  size 
shall  be  such  that  all  the  agrgegate  will  pass  through  a l^-inch  diam- 
eter ring.  The  particles  shall  be  clean,  hard,  durable,  and  free  from 
all  deleterious  material. 

2.  Gravel  shall  be  free  from  clay  or  loam  except  such  as  naturally 
adheres  to  the  particles.  If  clay  or  loam  is  in  such  quantities  that 
it  cannot  be  readily  removed  by  dipping  in  water  or  brushing  lightly 
with  the  hand,  the  gravel  shall  be  washed.  When  bank-run  gravel  is 
used,  it  shall  be  screened  from  the  sand  and  remixed  in  the  proper 
proportion  for  fine  and  coarse  aggregate. 

Idem. 

389.  Quality  of  Reinforcement. — All  steel  used  in  reinforced 
concrete  shall  meet  the  requirements  of  the  current  Standard  Speci- 
fications for  Billet-Steel  concrete  Reinforcement  Bars  of  the  Amer- 
ican Society  for  Testing  Materials.  Ho  reinforcement  produced  from 
re-rolled  rails  or  second-hand  materials  shall  be  used  in  any  struc- 
ture without  the  written  permission  of  the  Supervisor.  If  such  re- 
inforcement be  permitted,  it  shall  meet  the  requirements  of  the  cur- 
rent Standard  Specifications  for  Bail- Steel  Concrete  Reinforcement 
Bars  of  the  American  Society  for  Testing  Materials.  Cold  drawn 
steel  wire  made  from  open  hearth  billets  of  the  grade  of  rivet  steel  or 
from  Bessemer  billets,  may  be  used  in  floor  and  roof  slabs,  column 
hooping,  and  reinforcement  for  temperature  and  shrinkage  stresses. 
It  shall  have  an  ultimate  strength  of  not  less  than  85,000  pounds  per 
square  inch  and  test  specimens  shall  bend  180  degrees  around  their 
own  diameter  without  fracture. 

Idem. 


110 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Factors  Controlling  Design. 

390.  Allowable  Unit  Working  Stresses. — In  the  design  of  re- 
inforced concrete  structures  when  the  concrete  is  mixed  in  the  pro- 
portions of  1 :2  :4,  and  satisfies  the  strength  requirements  of  Section 
385,  the  following  working  stresses  for  concrete  and  steel  shall  be 
used : 

Lbs.  per  Sq.  Inch. 


Extreme  fibre  stress  on  concrete  in  compression 650 

Concrete  in  direct  compression 500 

Shearing  stress  in  concrete  when  diagonal  tension  is  not  resisted 

by  steel 40 

Shearing  stress  in  concrete  when  web  reinforcement  is  propor- 
tioned to  resist  two-thirds  of  the  external  vertical  shear  . . . 120 

Bond  stress  between  concrete  and  plain  reinforcing  bars 80 

Bond  stress  between  concrete  and  deformed  bars 100 

Tensile  stress  in  steel  reinforcement 16,000 


Bearing  of  a concrete  surface  having  a total  area  at  least  three 
times  the  area  of  the  loaded  portion,  may  be  taken  at  37%  per  cent, 
of  the  ultimate  strength  of  the  concrete,  when  all  other  stresses  are 
properly  provided  for. 

Compressive  stress  in  steel  as  specified  in  Sections  406-407-408 
and  409,  or  in  the  ratio  of  the  moduli  of  elasticity  of  steel  to  concrete. 

In  continuous  beams  the  extreme  fibre  stress  in  concrete  in  com- 
pression may  be  increased  15  per  cent,  adjacent  to  the  supports. 

In  proportioning  the  section  of  concrete  for  shearing  stresses,  the 
effective  depth  from  center  of  compression  area  to  center  of  steel 
shall  be  used. 

Stresses  in  concrete  mixed  in  the  proportions  of  1 :1%  ‘3  in  ac- 
cordance with  Section  385  may  be  increased  20  per  cent,  in  excess 
of  the  above  stresses. 

Idem. 

391.  General  Assumptions. — As  a basis  for  calculating  the 
strength  of  beams  and  slabs,  the  following  assumptions  shall  be  made : 

(a)  A plane  section  before  bending  remains  plane  after  bending. 

(b)  The  modulus  of  elasticity  of  concrete  in  compression  remains 
constant  within  limits  of  working  stresses  fixed  in  this  Code. 

(c)  The  adhesion  between  concrete  and  reinforcement  is  perfect. 

(d)  Concrete  has  no  value  in  resistance  to  tension. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


111 


(e)  Initial  stress  in  the  reinforcement  due  to  contraction  or  ex- 
pansion in  the  concrete  is  negligible. 

(f)  The  ratio  of  the  moduli  of  elasticity  of  1 :2  :4  stone  or  gravel 
concrete  and  steel  inflexure  shall  be  taken  as  1 :15. 

(g)  The  ratio  of  the  moduli  of  elasticity  of  1 :!% 0T  gravel 
concrete  and  steel  inflexure  shall  be  taken  as  1 :12. 

The  span  length  for  beams  and  slabs  shall  be  taken  as  the  dis- 
tance from  center  to  center  of  supports,  but  need  not  be  taken  to 
exceed  the  clear  span  plus  the  over-all  depth  of  beam  dr  slab.  Brack- 
ets shall  not  be  considered  as  reducing  the  clear  span  in  the  sense 
here  intended. 

Idem. 

Bending  Moments  of  Uniformly  Loaded  Floor  and  Hoof  Slabs. 

392.  Bending  Moments  of  Slabs  Supported  on  Two  Sides. — 
The  bending  moments  of  slabs  due  to  uniformly  distributed  loads 
shall  be  taken  as  not  less  than : 

1/8  WL,  at  center  when  simply  supported. 

1/10  WL,  at  center  and  continuous  support  when  supported  at  one 
end  and  continuous  at  the  other. 

1/12  WL,  at  center  and  intermediate  supports  when  continuous 
over  more  than  two  supports. 

W— Total  distributed  dead  and  live  loads. 

L— Length  of  span. 

Idem. 

393.  Bending  Moments  of  Slabs  Supported  on  Four  Sides. — - 
The  bending  moments  of  uniformly  loaded  slabs  supported  on  four 
sides  and  reinforced  in  both  directions  shall  be  taken  as: 

1/8  WL,  at  center  in  each  direction  when  simply  supported. 

1/10  WL,  at  center  and  continuous  support  when  continuous  over 
one  support. 

1/12  WL,  at  both  center  and  supports  when  continuous  over  two 
or  more  supports. 

Idem. 

394.  Distribution  of  Loads. — The  distribution  of  loads  on  square 
and  rectangular  slabs  supported  on  four  sides,  shall  be  determined  by 
the  following  formula : 

l4 


r = 


l4  + b4 


112 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


in  which  r— the  proportion  of  the  load  supported  by  the  transverse  re- 
inforcement. 

1— length  of  slab, 
b— breadth  of  slab. 

If  the  length  of  the  slab  exceeds  1%  times  its  width,  the  trans- 
verse reinforcement  shall  be  designed  to  carry  the  entire  load. 

Idem. 

Bending  Moments  of  Uniformly  Loaded  Beams  and  Girders. 

395.  Term  Beam  Defined. — The  term  beam  as  used  in  this  sec- 
tion shall  be  understood  to  include  the  term  girder,  unless  specific 
distinction  be  made. 

Idem. 

396.  Beams  with  Simple  or  Continuous  Supports. — The  bend- 
ing moments  of  uniformly  loaded  beams  shall  be  taken  as : 

1/8  WL,  at  center  when  simply  supported. 

1/10  WL,  at  center  and  over  continuous  support  when  supported 
at  one  end  and  continuous  at  the  other. 

1/12  WL,  at  both  center  and  supports  when  continuous  over  more 
than  two  supports. 

Idem. 

397.  Beams  Supporting  Rectangular  Slabs. 

1.  Beams  supporting  rectangular  slabs  reinforced  in  both  direc- 
tions shall  be  assumed  to  take  the  proportions  of  load  as  determined 
by  the  formula  in  Section  394. 

2.  The  bending  moments  of  slabs,  beams  or  girders  which  are 
continuous  for  two  spans  only,  shall  be  taken  as  % WL  over  the 
central  support  and  1/10  WL  near  the  middle  of  the  span. 

Idem. 

General  Design  Requirements  for  Beam  and  Slab 
Construction. 

398.  Special  Members. — The  bending  moments  for  slabs  or  beams 
with  spans  of  unusual  length  or  due  to  other  than  uniformly  distrib- 
uted loads,  shall  be  more  exactly  computed  according  to  accepted 
theory. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


113 


399.  Continuous  Floor  Construction. — In  contiuous  slabs,  beams 
or  girders,  full  provision  shall  be  made  for  the  negative  bending 
moments  over  the  supports  by  placing  sufficient  negative  reinforce- 
ment near  the  top  of  the  members  to  resist  the  stress.  This  reinforce- 
ment shall  pass  beyond  the  point  of  inflection  in  beams  or  girders  and 
be  anchored  in  the  compression  concrete  of  the  member  a sufficient 
distance  to  develop  the  full  strength  of  the  steel  through  bond  stress. 
The.  critical  section  of  continuous  construction  is  over  the  support. 

Idem. 

400.  Web  Reinforcement  in  Beams. 

1.  Members  of  web  reinforcement  in  beams  shall  be  designed  for 
diagonal  tensile  stresses,  using  the  calculated  vertical  sheering  stress 
as  a measure  of  these  tensile  stresses.  They  shall  not  be  spaced  to 
exceed  three-fourths  of  the  depth  of  the  beam  in  that  portion  where 
the  web  stresses  exceed  the  allowable  value  of  the  concrete  in  shear. 
It  shall  be  assumed  that  two-thirds  of  the  external  vertical  shear  is 
provided  for  by  the  steel  in  calculating  the  stresses  in  stirrups,  diag- 
onal web  members,  and  bent  up  bars ; and  the  remaining  one-third 
of  the  shear  shall  be  assumed  as  taken  by  the  concrete,  in  accordance 
with  section  390. 

2.  Web  members  such  as  stirrups,  when  not  rigidly  attached  to 
the  longitudinal  steel  at  both  top  and  bottom,  shall  be  carried  around 
and  bent  over  the  longitudinal  members  or  otherwise  sufficiently 
anchored  in  the  compression  concrete  to  develop  the  tensile  stresses 
existing  in  them.  Diagonal  members  shall  be  rigidly  attached  to  the 
longitudinal  steel  on  the  tension  side.  Stirrups  at  the  ends  of  continu- 
ous girders  shall  be  inverted  with  the  free  ends  anchored  in  the  com- 
pression concrete  at  the  bottom  of  the  beam.  The  length  of  stirrups 
or  diagonals  embedded  in  compression  concrete  shall  be  sufficient  to 
develop  their  entire  tensile  stresses  by  adhesion. 

Idem. 

401.  T Beams. 

1.  Where  adequate  bond  is  provided  at  junction  between  slab  and 
beam,  and  the  two  are  cast  at  the  same  time  as  a unit,  the  slab  may 
be  considered  as  an  integral  part  of  the  beam,  provided  its  effective 
width  shall  not  exceed  on  either  side  of  the  beam  one-sixth  of  the 
span  length  of  the  beam,  nor  be  greater  than  four  times  the  thickness 
of  the  slab  on  either  side  of  the  beam ; the  measurements  being  taken 
from  line  of  intersection  between  slab  and  beam. 


114 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


2.  In  beams  with  T sections  the  width  of  the  stem  only  shall  be 
nsed  in  calculating  longitudinal  shear  and  diagonal  tension.  An 
effective  bond  shall  be  provided  at  the  junction  of  the  beam  and  slab 
when  the  principal  slab  reinforcement  is  parallel  to  the  beam,  by 
the  use  of  transverse  reinforcement  extending  over  the  beam  and  well 
into  the  slab. 

3.  In  the  design  of  T beams  acting  as  continuous  beams,  sufficient 
compression  area  shall  be  provided  on  the  under  side  at  the  support, 
either  by  the  use  of  properly  designed  brackets  or  by  embedding  addi- 
tional compression  steel  in  the  concrete  extending  to  the  point  of 
inflection. 

Idem. 

402.  Minimum  Thickness  of  Slabs. — The  minimum  thickness 
of  concrete  floor  slabs  shall  be  4 inches,  and  for  roof  slabs  3%  inches. 

Idem. 

403.  Floor  Finish. — Cement  or  concrete  floor  finish  shall  not  be 
considered  in  calculating  the  strength  of  floor  members  unless  it  be 
laid  at  the  same  time  they  are  cast. 

Idem. 

404.  Composite  Floors. — The  design  of  composite  floors  consist- 
ing of  rows  of  hard-burned  terra  cotta  tile,  concrete  blocks,  sheet  steel, 
or  other  approved  fire  resistive  material,  separated  by  ribs  or  beams 
of  reinforced  stone  or  gravel  concrete,  shall  conform  to  all  the  pro- 
visions of  this  part  so  far  as  they  are  applicable.  The  ribs  shall  be 
at  least  5 inches  wide.  The  tile  or  blocks  shall  be  regarded  only  as 
fillers,  and  shall  not  be  considered  in  the  design  except  as  dead  load. 
If  designed  as  a T-beam,  the  slab  portion  above  the  fillers  shall  be 
at  least  2%  inches  thick,  and  shall  consist  of  the  same  mixture  used 
for  the  ribs,  and  shall  be  cast  at  the  same  time;  under  these  condi- 
tions it  may  be  considered  in  the  design  of  the  ribs.  Tile  or  concrete 
block  fillers  shall  be  laid  with  Portland  cement  mortar  joints,  and 
shall  be  thoroughly  wet  before  the  concrete  is  poured.  The  protec- 
tion for  steel  bars  in  bottom  of  ribs  shall  be  the  same  as  for  other 
beams. 

To  resist  expansion  stresses,  reinforcement  bars  not  less  than 
i/^-inch  diameter,  shall  be  placed  in  the  concrete  at  right  angles  to 
the  ribs  and  above  the  fillers,  at  intervals  not  exceeding  30  inches. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


115 


Design  of  Columns  and  Walls. 

405.  Length  of  Columns. — The  length  of  columns  shall  be  taken 
as  the  maximum  unsupported  length. 

' The  unsupported  length  of  columns  shall  not  exceed  fifteen  times 
the  least  side  or  diameter,  and  in  no  case  shall  the  least  side  or  diame- 
ter be  less  than  12  inches.  The  length  shall  include  any  corbel  or 
knee  brace  attached  to  the  column. 

Idem. 

406.  Columns  Without  Hoops. — Actual  compression  in  rein- 
forced concrete  columns  without  or  with  less  than  one  per  cent,  of 
hoops,  bands  or  spirals,  containing  not  less  than  one-half  of  one  per 
cent,  nor  more  than  3 per  cent,  of  vertical  reinforcement,  secured 
against  lateral  displacement  by  steel  ties  placed  not  further  apart 
than  15  diameters  of  the  vertical  rods,  nor  more  than  12  inches,  shall 
not  exceed  more  than  450  pounds  per  square  inch  on  the  effective 
area  of  the  concrete  plus  six  thousand  pounds  per  square  inch  on 
the  vertical  reinforcement.  The  percentage  of  reinforcement  shall 
be  calculated  upon  the  effective  area  of  the  column,  which  is  the  area 
within  the  reinforcement. 

Idem. 

407.  Columns  'luith  Hoops. — Actual  compression  in  reinforced 
concrete  columns  with  not  less  than  one  per  cent,  of  hoops  or  spirals 
(that  is,  a volume  of  steel  equal  to  one  per  cent,  of  the  volume  of  con- 
crete within  the  hoops  or  spirals  for  unit  length  of  column)  spaced 
not  further  apart  than  one-fourth  of  the  diameter  of  enclosed  column, 
with  not  less  than  one  per  cent,  nor  more  than  four  per  cent,  of  ver- 
tical reinforcement,  shall  not  exceed  650  pounds  per  square  inch  on 
the  effective  area  of  the  concrete  plus  9,000  pounds  per  square  inch  or 
the  vertical  reinforcement.  The  hoops  or  spirals  shall  be  uniformly 
spaced,  and  shall  be  rigidly  attached  to  at  least  four  vertical  bars  in 
each  convolution. 

Idem. 

408.  Structural  Steel  and  Concrete  Columns. — Axial  compres- 
sion in  structural  steel  columns  thoroughly  encased  in  concrete  hav- 
ing a minimum  thickness  of  4 inches  and  reinforced  with  not  less 
than  one  per  cent,  of  steel  (that  is,  a volume  of  steel  equal  to  one 
per  cent,  of  the  volume  of  concrete  within  the  hoops)  equally  divided 
between  vertical  reinforcement  and  hoops  or  spirals  spaced  not  more 


116 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


than  12  inches  apart,  may  he  taken  at  16,000  pounds  per  square  inch 
on  the  net  section  of  the  structural  steel,  no  allowance  being  made 
for  the  concrete  casing.  The  hoops  or  spirals  shall  be  placed  not 
nearer  than  one  inch  from  the  structural  steel,  or  nearer  than  1% 
inches  from  the  outer  surface  of  the  concrete.  The  ratio  of  length 
to  least  radius  of  gyration  of  the  structural  steel  section  shall  not 
exceed  120. 

Idem. 

409.  Columns  Constructed  with  Special  Concrete. — In  rein- 
forced concrete  columns  the  compression  on  the  concrete  may  be  in- 
creased 20  per  cent,  when  the  fine  and  coarse  aggregates  are  care- 
fully selected,  and  the  proportion  of  cement  to  total  aggregates  in- 
creased to  one  part  of  cement  to  not  more  than  four  and  one-half  parts 
of  aggregate,  fine  and  coarse,  either  in  proportion  of  one  part  of 
cement,  one  and  one-half  parts  of  sand  and  three  parts  of  stone  or 
gravel,  or  in  such  proportions  as  will  secure  the  maximum  density. 
The  unit  stress  on  the  vertical  reinforcement  in  such  columns  shall 
not  exceed  twelve  times  the  unit  stress  on  the  concrete. 

Idem. 

410.  Columns  Eccentrically  Loaded. — Bending  stresses  in  col- 
umns due  to  eccentric  loads,  shall  be  provided  for  by  increasing  the 
section  of  concrete  or  steel  so  that  the  total  unit  stress  shall  not  exceed 
the  allowable  working  stress  in  flexure. 

Idem. 

411.  Steel  Base  Plates. — Suitable  steel  base  plates  or  castings 
shall  be  provided  at  the  bottom  of  columns  to  distribute  the  loads  over 
the  footings,  and  the  vertical  reinforcement  bars  shall  bear  squarely 
on  these  plates,  or  the  reinforcing  bars  shall  be  carried  down  into  an 
enlarged  footing  to  distribute  the  load  through  bond  stress. 

Idem. 

412.  Walls. — Exterior  and  interior  bearing  and  non-bearing 
walls  of  reinforced  concrete  shall  be  securely  anchored  to  all  inter- 
secting walls,  columns  and  floors,  and  the  allowable  compressive  stress 
shall  not  exceed  250  pounds  per  square  inch.  The  thickness  shall 
be  not  less  than  two-thirds  that  specified  for  brick  walls,  and  in  no 
case  less  than  8 inches.  All  such  walls  shall  be  reinforced  with  steel 
running  both  horizontally  and  vertically.  The  amount  of  reinforce- 
ment shall  be  not  less  than  1/5  of  1 per  cent,  of  the  cross-section 
of  the  wall,  and  shall  be  equally  disposed  near  each  face  of  the  wall ; 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


117 


except  that  in  walls  or  partitions  8 inches  or  less  in  thickness,  the  re- 
inforcement may  he  placed  as  a single  layer  in  the  middle.  Rein- 
forcement shall  not  be  spaced  more  than  18  inches  apart.  Additional 
reinforcement  shall  be  placed  aronnd  wall  openings,  and  all  vertical 
and  horizontal  reinforcement  shall  be  wired  or  have  other  mechanical 
bond  at  intervals  not  exceeding  18  inches  in  either  direction. 

Idem. 

General  Provisions  for  Design  of  Girderless  Floors  or 

Flat  Slabs. 

413.  Girderless  Floors. 

1.  Girderless  floors  or  flat  slabs  consisting  of  reinforced  concrete 
slabs  resting  upon  columns  with  flaring  heads,  with  or  without  drop 
heads  or  column  caps,  and  in  which  no  beams  or  girders  are  used, 
except  around  openings  in  the  floor  or  along  walls,  shall  be  designed 
in  accordance  with  the  bending  moment  co-efficients  and  stresses  speci- 
fied in  this  Code.  ISTo  empirical  formulas  based  on  the  results  of 
tests  shall  be  permitted,  but  the  design  shall  in  general  be  based  upon 
the  principles  of  continuous  or  cantilever  construction  as  herein  in- 
dicated. 

2.  The  methods  of  analysis  shall  be  ’as  follows : 

(a)  The  portion  of  the  slab  adjacent  to  the  column  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  a circular  plate  supported  at  the  center  forming  the  canti- 
lever portion.  The  remainder  of  the  slab  shall  be  considered  as  a sim- 
ply supported  portion  suspended  from  the  cantilever  plates.  The 

' cantilever  portion  shall  be  designed  for  a uniform  load  over  its  area 
equal  to  the  live  and  dead  load  on  the  area  plus  a concentrated  load 
on  its  perimeter  equal  to  the  floor  load  resting  on  the  suspended  por- 
tion of  the  slab.  The  radius  of  the  cantilever  plate  shall  be  the  aver- 
age distance  from  the  center  of  the  column  to  the  points  of  inflection 
of  the  slab. 

(b)  Or  the  slab  may  be  considered  as  consisting  of  a series  of 
continuous  broad,  flat,  girders,  reinforced  with  bands  of  steel  consist- 
ing of  rods  supported  at  the  top  of  the  slab  over  the  columns  and 
depressed  to  the  bottom  of  the  slab  at  the  center  of  the  span.  These 
bands  of  reinforcement  may  be  arranged  to  run  in  two  directions 
directly  from  column  center  to  column  center;  or  in  four  directions, 
the  former  bands  being  combined  with  reinforcement  running  diagon- 
ally from  column  to  column. 

Idem. 


118 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


414.  Columns  for  Girderless  Floors. 

1.  The  column  capital  shall  have  a diameter  or  least  side  at  the 
top  in  no  case  less  than  0.225  L,  where  L is  the  length  of  side  of  the 
square  equivalent  to  the  area  of  the  rectangle  included  between  four 
adjacent  columns.  The  thickness  of  the  column  capital  at  this  diame- 
ter shall  be  not  less  than  1%  inches.  The  slope  of  the  column  cap- 
ital shall  nowhere  exceed  an  angle  of  45  degrees  with  the  vertical. 

2.  A depressed  head  or  “drop”  may  be  cast  above  the  column 
capital  and  the  dimensions  of  this  cap  shall  be  not  less  than  0.4  of 
the  side  of  the  equivalent  square  panel. 

3.  The  point  of  inflection  shall  be  assumed  1/6  V 3L  from  the 
center  of  the  column. 

4.  The  width  of  bands  shall  be  such  as  to  properly  cover  the  panel 
area,  but  shall  not  be  wider  than  0.4  times  the  side  of  the  square  panel. 
Where  steel  is  provided  in  two  directions  only,  the  central  portion  of 
the  panel  shall  be  considered  as  a slab  supported  on  four  sides. 

5.  Punching  shear  shall  be  calculated  at  the  edge  of  the  column 
shaft  and  shall  not  exceed  120  pounds  per  square  inch.  In  com- 
puting shearing  stress  for  the  purpose  of  determing  resistance  to 
diagonal  tension,  a point  shall  be  taken  at  a distance  out  from  the 
column  capital  equal  to  the  effective  depth  of  the  slab. 

6.  Working  stresses  and  co-efficients  shall  in  general  comply  with 
Sections  390,  and  392  to  397,  inclusive,  of  this  Code.  In  rectangular 
panels,  the  long  dimension  shall  not  be  more  than  four-thirds  times 
the  short  dimension.  Interior  columns  shall  be  capable  of  resisting 
the  unbalanced  bending  moment  produced  by  a panel  with  live  load 
adjacent  to  a panel  without  live  load.  Floor  slabs  at  walls  shall  be 
considered  as  simply  supported  on  walls  or  wall  beams.  If  the  pro- 
portion of  the  slab  adjacent  to  a wall  column  is  assumed  as  a canti- 
lever, the  wall  column  or  pier  shall  be  capable  of  resisting  the  un- 
balanced moment  produced  by  such  cantilever.  Bars  for  negative 
bending  moment  shall  extend  at  least  to  the  quarter  point  of  the  span, 
and  if  the  bars  have  a greater  diameter  than  %-ineh,  special  atten- 
tion shall  be  given  to  bond  and  anchorage. 

Idem. 

Requirements  for  Reinforcement. 

415.  External  and  Internal  Defects. — All  reinforcement  shall  be 
free  from  excessive  rust,  scale,  grease,  paint  or  any  coating  which 
would  tend  to  render  or  destroy  the  bond  between  the  steel  and  the 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


119 


concrete.  Bars  shall  also  be  free  from  injurious  seams,  slivers,  flaws, 
and  other  mill  defects.  The  weight  of  any  lot  of  bars  shall  not  vary 
more  than  5 per  cent,  from  the  standard  weight  of  the  lot  as  given 
by  manufacturers’  handbooks. 

Idem. 

416.  Plating  and  Spacing  of  Reinforcement. — All  reinforcement 
shall  be  accurately  located  and  mechanically  secured  against  displace- 
ment during  the  placing  of  the  concrete.  Reinforcement  bars  for  slabs 
shall  not  be  spaced  farther  apart  than  two  and  one-half  times  the 
thickness  of  the  slab.  The  spacing  of  parallel  bars  in  beams  shall  be 
not  less  than  three  diameters  from  center  to  center,  nor  less  than  one 
inch.  The  clear  spacing  between  two  layers  of  bars  shall  be  not  less 
than  one  inch.  In  restrained  or  cantilever  construction  reinforce- 
ment shall  extend  beyond  the  supports  into  adjacent  construction  for 
full  and  effective  anchorage,  except  that  when  this  is  not  practicable, 
anchorage  shall  be  obtained  by  other  means  acceptable  to  the  Super- 
visor. Special  reinforcement  shall  be  provided  to  resist  concentrated 
loads.  Slabs  reinforced  in  one  direction  only,  shall  have  shrinkage 
rods  not  less  than  %-inch  in  diameter  placed  above  the  reinforce- 
ment and  spaced  not  over  2 feet  apart.  All  reinforcement  shall  be 
assembled  well  in  advance  of  the  placing  of  the  concrete,  and  shall 
be  inspected  and  approved  by  the  Supervisor  before  concrete  is  de- 
posited. 

Idem. 

417.  Protection  for  Reinforcement. — Steel  reinforcement  shall 
have  a minimum  protection  of  concrete  on  all  sides  as  follows : 

In  columns  and  girders,  1%  inches  in  beams  and  walls,  1% 
inches ; and  in  floor  slabs  %-inch. 

The  steel  in  footings  for  walls  and  columns  shall  have  a minimum 
protection  of  3 inches  of  concrete. 

Idem. 

418.  Splices  in  Reinforcement. — Splices  in  reinforcing  bars  shall 
be  designed  to  transfer  the  calculated  stress  at  the  joint  either  by 
bond  and  shear  through  the  concrete,  or  by  bearing  between  the  steel. 
Splices  at  points  of  maximum  stress  shall  be  avoided  where  possible. 
Lap  splices  of  bars  shall  be  of  sufficient  length  to  develop  to  required 
stress  in  the  joint  without  exceeding  the  bond  stress  permitted.  In 
columns  where  necessary  to  splice  vertical  bars  having  areas  in  excess 
of  iy4  square  inches,  it  shall  be  done  by  cutting  the  bars  squarely  at 


120  NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 

s 

the  ends  and  enclosing  them  in  a close-fitting  pipe  sleeve,  or  uniting 
them  by  a threaded  splice  or  other  mechanical  connection  that  will 
transfer  the  load  from  one  to  the  other  without  stressing  the  adjoin- 
ing concrete  excessively.  The  middle  point  of  such  splices  shall  be 
within  one  foot  above  the  door  level.  Splices  in  column  hooping  where 
necessary,  shall  be  sufficient  to  develop  the  full  strength  of  the  hooping. 
Idem. 


Workmanship  for  Concrete. 

419.  Mixing. 

1.  The  separate  ingredients  of  concrete  shall  be  accurately  meas- 
ured, and  thoroughly  mixed  in  a manner  to  produce  a homogeneous 
mass  of  uniform  color  and  of  such  a viscous  consistency  that  it  will 
flow  to  all  parts  of  the  forms  without  separation  of  the  coarse  aggre- 
gate from  the  mortar. 

2.  Except  when  limited  quantities  are  required,  or  when  the  con- 
ditions of  the  work  make  hand-mixing  preferable,  mixing  shall  be 
done  in  a mechanical  batch  mixer  from  which  a complete  batch  shall 
be  discharged  before  another  is  received.  All  ingredients  shall  be 
mixed  together  for  at  least  one  minute,  the  mixer  making  at  least 
20  revolutions.  The  speed  of  the  mixer  shall  not  exceed  20  revolu- 
tions per  minute.  In  all  cases,  the  mixing  shall  be  continued  until 
the  consistency  is  constant. 

Idem. 

420.  Depositing  Concrete. 

1.  Concrete  shall  be  deposited,  thoroughly  tamped  and  worked 
to  place  before  initial  set  begins,  and  shall  then  be  kept  free  from 
shocks  and  disturbances  of  every  kind  until  it  has  fully  hardened. 
Retempering  of  concrete  after  its  initial  set  shall  be  prohibited. 

2.  When  the  work  of  placing  concrete  is  suspended,  all  necessary 
grooves  for  joining  future  work  shall  be  made  before  the  concrete 
sets. 

3.  Before  depositing  new  concrete  upon  concrete  already  set,  the 
contact  surfaces  shall  be  roughened,  cleaned  of  all  laitance  and  loose 
material,  and  then  drenched  with  water  and  slushed  with  a grout  con- 
sisting of  one  part  Portland  cement  and  not  more  than  two  parts 
fine  /aggregate  immediately  before  placing  the  fresh  concrete.  If  a 
watertight  joint  is  desired,  or  if  granolithic  is  to  be  deposited  on  old 
concrete,  it  is  necessary  that  a neat  cement  grout  be  used. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


121 


421.  Drying  and  Freezing. 

1.  When  fresh  concrete  is  exposed  to  rapid  drying  conditions,  pre- 
cautions shall  be  taken  to  keep  it  moist  for  a period  of  at  least  seven 
days  after  being  deposited.  Where  practical,  this  shall  be  done  by 
covering  of  wet  sand,  burlap  or  some  other  equally  effective  method. 
Thorough  wetting  twice  a day  is  recommended. 

2.  In  freezing  weather  all  materials  used  in  making  concrete, 
particularly  the  coarse  aggregate,  shall  be  heated,  and  precautions 
shall  be  taken  to  prevent  the  concrete  freezing  while  being  deposited ; 
and  thereafter  it  shall  be  kept  above  40  degrees  until  the  concrete 
has  obtained  its  final  set,  but  such  period  shall  be  not  less  than  72 
hours. 

Idem. 

422.  Joints. 

1.  Construction  joints  shall  be  avoided  wherever  practicable,  but 
when  they  are  necessary  they  shall  be  located  at  such  sections  as  will 
least  affect  the'  structural  strength  and  shall  be  made  at  right  angles 
to  the  direction  of  principal  compressive  stress.  In  members  of  floor 
systems,  joints  shall  be  made  within  the  middle  third  of  the  span 
where  practicable.  In  columns,  joints  shall  only  be  permitted  at 
the  bottom  face  of  the  lowest  connecting  floor  members.  Tempera- 
ture changes  and  shrinkage  during  setting  necessitate  joints  in  in- 
dependent walls  at  intervals  of  50  to  80  feet  when  not  otherwise 
provided  for  by  effective  reinforcement. 

2.  Girders,  beams,  and  slabs  shall  not  be  cast  upon  freshly  formed 
columns  until  a period  of  4 to  6 hours  have  elapsed  to  permit  settle- 
ment. 

Idem. 

423.  Construction  of  Forms. 

1.  Forms  shall  be  substantial  and  unyielding,  and  care  shall  be 
exercised  to  make  them  as  nearly  water-tight  as  practicable. 

2.  Care  shall  be  taken  to  insure  that  all  debris  is  removed  from 
forms,  and  that  they  are  thoroughly  greased  or  wetted  before  con- 
crete is  deposited  in  them.  Beam  forms  shall  be  so  designed  that  at 
least  one  side  may  be  removed  without  disturbing  the  bottom  portion 
of  the  forms  and1  its  supports  ; and  column  forms,  so  that  they  may 
be  removed  without  disturbing  beam  and  slab  forms.  Cleanout  holes 
shall  be  provided  in  the  bottom  of  column  forms  where  necessary  to 
insure  the  removal  of  wood  chips  or  other  debris. 

Idem. 


122 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


424.  Removal  of  Forms. 

1.  The  time  for  the  removal  of  forms  shall  always  be  subject 


to  approval  by  the  Supervisor. 

Schedule. 

Bottom  of  slabs,  spans  of  6 feet 4 days 

Plus  1 day  extra  *for  each  additional  foot  of  span. 

Bottom  of  beams  and  girders  of  ordinary  length 14  days 

Beams  of  span  of  20  feet 21  days 

Sides  of  lintels,  girders  and  beams 3 days 

Columns 3 days 

Thin  walls  3 days 


2.  Girders  of  25-foot  span  or  over  shall  be  considered  as  special 
cases  and  shall  be  subject  to  the  inspection  of  the  Supervisor  before 
removal  of  supports. 

3.  Composite  floors,  same  as  for  ordinary  beams. 

4.  .All  reinforced  concrete  shall  be  carefully  inspected  to  insure 
its  soundness  and  reliability  before  main  supports  are  removed. 

5.  No  loads  shall  be  placed  upon  a reinforced  concrete  floor  be- 
fore the  removal  of  the  form  supports,  which  would  in  any  way  tend 
to  overstress  such  supports  or  those  below. 

6.  Special  care  shall  be  observed  in  removing  forms  when  the 
concreting  has  been  done  in  cold  weather.  Concrete  which  has  frozen 
accidentally  before  setting,  shall  be  thawed  and  kept  thawed  until 
it  is  determined  whether  the  cement  will  set.  In  this  case,  sufficient 
water  shall  be  provided  for  the  cement  to  hydrate  during  this  action. 

Idem. 

425.  General  Requirements  for  Tests. — All  tests  upon  rein- 
forced concrete  materials  or  construction  shall  be  made  in  accord- 
ance with  the  requirements  of  Section  390. 

Idem. 

426.  Inspection. — Every  reinforced  concrete  building  shall  be 
erected  under  the  constant  supervision  of  a reputable  and  competent 
inspector  furnished  by  the  owner  or  architect,  and  acceptable  to  the 
Supervisor  of  Buildings.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  inspector  to 
keep  a daily  record  of  the  work  done,  to  observe  whether  the  materials 
employed,  and  the  methods  of  construction  are  in  all  respects  in 
accord  with  the  specifications  filed  with  the  Supervisor,  and  the  re- 
quirements of  this  Code ; and  to  make  record  of  all  variations  there- 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


123 


from.  A copy  of  these  daily  reports  shall  he  filed  with  the  Super- 
visor who  is  empowered  to  stop  any  improper  construction  until  its 
faults  are  corrected,  or  to  cause  the  removal  of  any  defective  work 
which  he  may  consider  dangerous. 

A set  of  plans  shall  be  on  file  at  the  building  upon  which  the 
Supervisor  may  mark  in  ink  the  progress  of  the  work,  and  state  the 
time  and  dates  on  which  concrete  for  each  portion  of  the  structure 
was  deposited;  and  the  Supervisor  may  indicate  thereon  the  date 
upon  which  the  forms  may  be  removed.  Record  shall  also  be  made 
of  the  date  upon  which  forms  were  actually  removed. 

Idem . 


PART  XXVII. 


Reinforced  Concrete  for  Fireproofing-. 

427.  Approved  Construction. 

1.  Concrete  is  approved  for  all  fire-resistive  construction,  also 
for  the  protection  of  steel  structural  members,  or  for  any  other  fire- 
proofing purposes  in  any  building. 

2.  Any  system  of  reinforced  concrete  construction  may  be  ap- 
proved for  the  construction  of  floor  or  roof  panels,  or  partitions  in 
skeleton  frame  or  any  other  type  of  fire-resistive  building,  provided 
that  the  unit  stresses  in  the  materials  do  not  exceed  those  specified 
in  this  Code  as  permissible  for  use  in  such  design ; and1  that  the  con- 
crete and  the  construction  conform  to  the  various  other  requirements 
herein  specified  for  such  use,  including  the  fire  test. 

Idem. 

428.  Mixture. — Concrete  for  fireproofing  purposes  shall  consist 
of  a mixture  of  viscous  consistency  of  one  part  Portland  cement  to 
not  more  than  seven  parts  of  fine  and  coarse  aggregate  by  volume. 
The  aggregate  shall  be  mixed  in  the  ratio  of  two  parts  of  fine  to  not 
more  than  five  parts  of  coarse,  or  in  such  proportions  as  will  give 
the  densest  mixture. 

Idem. 

429.  Aggregates. — Fine  aggregates  shall  be  of  quality  described 
in  Section  387. 


124 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Coarse  aggregates  shall  consist  of  gravel,  crushed  stone,  hard- 
burned  brick,  terra  cotta,  slag,  or  steam  boiler  cinders,  and  shall  be 
clean,  hard,  and  free  from  deleterious  material.  All  aggregates  shall 
be  sized  to  pass  a 1-inch  screen  and  be  retained  upon  a %-inch  screen, 
and  shall  be  reasonably  dry  when  screened. 

Idem. 

430.  Manipulation. — Concrete  for  fireproofing  shall  be  mixed, 
deposited  and  protected  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  Sec- 
tions 410  to  424,  inclusive,  of  this  Code. 

Idem. 

431.  Reinfoi  *■ cement . 

1.  The  steel  reinforcement  in  concrete  used  for  fireproofing  shall 
be  of  quality  required  by  Section  389,  and  the  installation  shall  be 
in  accordance  with  the  specifications  of  Section  416.  The  longitudi- 
nal members  in  mesh  reinforcement  shall  not  be  spaced  more  than 
4 inches  center  to  center,  and  the  least  dimension  of  mesh  opening 
shall  be  2 inches.  Mesh  metal  fabrics  of  all  kinds  shall  have  a side 
lap  of  not  less  than  3 inches. 

2.  All  reinforcement  essential . to  secure  the  required  strength 
of  arches  or  slabs,  shall  be  fully  embedded  in  the  concrete,  and  shall 
have  a protection  of  at  least  1 inch  of  concrete  on  the  under  side. 

3.  Exposed  metal  centering  or  exposed  metal  of  any  kind  shall 
not  be  considered  a factor  in  the  strength  of  any  part  of  any  con- 
crete construction  subject  to  fire;  and  a plaster  finish  applied  over 
the  metal  shall  not  be  accepted  as  sufficient  protection. 

Idem. 

432.  Cinder  Concrete. 

1.  Cinder  concrete  may  be  used  constructively  as  fireproofing,  only 
for  floors  and  roofs  between  steel  beams,  and  for  interior  non-bearing 
walls  or  partitions. 

2.  Cinders  shall  be  composed  of  hard,  well  burned  vitreous  clinker, 
free  from  sulphides,  fine  ashes  and  foreign  matter.  The  use  of  gas- 
house,  or  locomotive  cinders,  or  stove  or  heating  furnace  ashes,  is 
prohibited. 

3.  In  the  selection  of  cinders  for  concrete,  care  shall  be  exercised 
to  insure  that  they  carry  only  a small  percentage  of  unburned  coal 
or  coke.  The  amount  shall  not  exceed  15  per  cent. 

4.  Cinder  concrete  in  the  proportions  of  1 :2  :5  to  qualify  for  use 
for  fireproofing,  except  when  used  as  fill  above  the  floor  arch  proper, 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


125 


shall  develop  an  average  crushing  strength  of  not  less  than  800  pounds 
per  square  inch  at  28  days,  when  tested  in  accordance  with  the  method 
of  test  prescribed  for  stone  concrete  in  Sections  312  and  385. 

5.  The  allowable  extreme  fibre  stress  in  compression  in  cinder 
concrete  slabs  between  steel  beams  shall  not  exceed  300  pounds  per 
square  inch.  The  ratio  of  the  moduli  of  elasticity  of  1 :2  :5  cinder 
concrete  and  steel  shall  be  taken  as  1 to  30. 

Idem. 

433.  Design  Factors  for  Special  Concrete. — The  allowable  work- 
ing stresses  and  moduli  of  elasticity  for  concrete  composed  of  aggre- 
gates other  than  stone,  gravel,  or  cinders,  shall  be  determined  by  the 
Supervisor  from  results  of  actual  tests. 

Idem. 

434.  Floor  Systems  Approved  on  Design. 

1.  Segmental  concrete  arches  or  flat  slabs  shall  be  approved  for 
fireproofing  if  designed  and  constructed  in  accordance  with  the  re- 
quirements of  Parts  XXVI  and  XXVII  insofar  as  they  are  ap- 
plicable; but  the  permissible  stresses  for  cinder  concrete  shall  be 
taken  as  specified  in  Section  432. 

2.  The  span  of  concrete  arches  or  slabs  for  fireproofing  shall  be 
taken  as  the  distance  center  to  center  of  the  supporting  steel  beams, 
and  shall  not  exceed  8 feet  unless  the  Coarse  aggregate  in  the  concrete 
be  either  stone  or  gravel,  in  which  case  the  span  shall  be  limited  by 
the  design. 

3.  The  minimum  thickness  of  arches  or  slabs  of  cinder  concrete 
for  floor  and  roof  construction,  shall  be  3%  inches,  and  in  no  case 
less  than  one-eighteenth  of  the  span  length  between  supporting  beams. 

Idem. 

435.  Concrete  for  Principal  Bearing  Members. — Except  by  writ- 
ten permit  of  the  Supervisor,  the  coarse  aggregate  in  all  concrete 
used  in  the  construction  of  bearing  walls,  columns,  piers,  or  girders, 
shall  be  stone  or  gravel. 

Idem. 

436.  Tie  Rods. 

1.  Segmental  arches  shall  have  a rise  of  not  less  than  %-inch 
per  foot  of  span,  and  steel  tie  rods  of  proper  size,  spacing,  and  loca- 
tion to  resist  the  thrust  shall  be  used.  The  rods  shall  be  protected 
as  required  in  Section  375,  paragraph  2. 


126 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


2.  In  flat  arches,  if  tie  rods  are  omitted,  the  reinforcement  shall 
be  continuous,  or  the  ends  of  the  bars  shall  be  hooked  over  the  beams 
or  otherwise  securely  fastened  to  them  at  intervals  not  exceeding  3 
feet. 

Idem. 

437.  Concrete  Fill. — Concrete  for  fill  shall  consist  of  one  part 
cement  and  not  more  than  ten  parts  of  aggregate.  Aggregate  shall  he 
as  specified  in  Section  387-38'8.  All  concrete  fill  shall  be  well  mixed, 
thoroughly  wet,  tamped  to  place,  and  brought  to  a level  at  the  re- 
quired height.  See  Section  374,  paragraph  2. 

Idem. 

438.  Protection  for  Steel  Structural  Members. — 'Concrete  used 
as  fireproofing  upon  structural  steel  members  shall  have  the  quality, 
thickness,  and  be  anchored  as  specified  in  Section  376. 

Idem. 


PART  XXVIII. 


Fire  Tests  of  Construction. 

439.  Specifications  for  Fire  Tests. 

1.  Xone  but  approved  materials  or  methods  of  construction  shall 
be  used  in  the  erection  of  fireproof  buildings. 

2.  Fireproof  construction  and  protective  devices  to  qualify  for 
use  under  test,  shall  meet  the  requirements  of  the  following  specifica- 
tions : 

3.  Fire  Tests  for  Floors.  The  fire  test  for  floors  shall  be  made 
on  at  least  one  full  size  span,  and  shall  be  continuous  for  four  hours 
at  an  average  temperature  of  1,700  degrees  F.  In  this  and  all  other 
respects  the  floor  to  be  tested  shall  meet  the  requirements  of  the  cur- 
rent specifications  of  the  Standard  Test  for  Fireproof  Floor  Con- 
struction prescribed  by  the  American  Society  for  Testing  Materials ; 
or  the  specifications  for  such  test  employed  at  the  Laboratories  of  the 
National  Board  of  Fire  LTnderwriters. 

4.  Fire  Test  for  Partitions.  The  fire  test  for  partitions,  other 
than  those  used  for  shaft  enclosures,  shall  be  continuous  for  two  hours, 
the  temperature  rising  to  1,700  degrees  F.  in  one-half  hour,  and  aver- 
aging 1,700  degrees  F.  for  the  balance  of  the  test.  In  this  and  all 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


127 


other  respects  the  partition  to  be  tested  shall  meet  the  requirements  of 
the  current  speifications  of  the  Standard  Test  for  Fireproof  Partition 
Construction  prescribed  by  the  American  Society  for  Testing  Ma- 
terials ; or  the  specifications  for  such  test  employed  at  the  Laboratories 
of  the  National  Board  of  Fire  Underwriters. 

5.  Fire  Test  for  Stair  and  Elevator  Shaft  Partitions.  The  fire 
test  for  partitions  used  to  enclose  stair,  elevator  and  other  large  shafts 
shall  be  continuous  for  three  hours  with  an  average  temperature  of 
1,700  degrees  F.,  for  the  last  two  and  a half  hours  of  the  test,  and 
shall  in  all  other  respects  conform  to  the  requirements  for  fire  test 
for  partitions  given  in  paragraph  4 of  this  section. 

6.  Fire  Test  for  Doors  and1  Shutters.  The  size  of  the  test  sam- 
ple shall  conform  to  the  dimensions  required  for  the  maximum  size 
of  wall  opening  for  which  the  device  is  designed  up  to  and  including 
5 feet  by  7 feet,  and  shall  be  mounted  and  hung  in  every  respect  as 
for  ordinary  service.  It  shall  be  subjected  to  a continuous  fire  upon 
one  side  for  at  least  one  hour,  the  temperature  increasing  to  1,800 
degrees  F.  within  30  minutes  and  then  rising  gradually  to  a final 
temperature  of  2,000  degrees  at  the  end  of  the  hour.  Immediately 
after  the  expiration  of  the  fire  test,  while  the  door  is  still  red  hot  it 
shall  be  subjected  to  a stream' of  water  from  a %-inch  nozzle  20  feet 
distant  from  the  door  and  under  a pressure  of  60  pounds  per  square 
inch  at  the  nozzle.  The  stream  shall  be  kept  moving  over  the  test 
sample  for  one  minute. 

A door  to  successfully  pass  this  test  shall  not  develop  serious  struc- 
tural weakness  ; shall  prevent  the  development  of  flame  on  the  un- 
exposed side  of  the  door  which  extend  more  than  a few  inches  from 
the  door  surface ; the  heat  transmitted  through  or  around  the  door 
shall  not  be  sufficient  to  ignite  burlap  or  similar  combustible  material 
placed  36  inches  back  from  the  door  in  a room  surrounding  the  un- 
exposed side  of  the  door. 

7.  Fire  Test  for  Windows.  The  size  of  the  test  sample  and  the 
character  of  the  test  shall  be  the  same  as  that  prescribed  for  doors, 
except  that  the  temperature  shall  rise  gradually  throughout  the  test 
to  a maximum  of  1,500  degrees  F.  at  the  end.  The  application  of 
water  shall  be  the  same  as  for  doors.  A test  to  be  successful  shall 
meet  the  requirements  specified  for  doors,  as  to  structural  weakness 
and  passage  of  flame,  but  no  restriction  shall  be  made  as  to  the  amount 
of  heat  transmitted  through  the  window  ; furthermore,  small  por- 
tions of  glass  dislodged  by  application  of  the  stream  of  water  shall 


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not  be  considered  as  structural  weakness.  The  size  of  wired  glass 
panel  in  either  window  or  door  shall  not  exceed  720  square  inches. 

8.  Fire  Test  for  Approved  Fire-Resisting  Roofing.  The  roofing 
shall  at  least  withstand  the  attack  of  burning  fire  brands  for  5 min- 
utes with  a wind  pressure  of  5 miles  per  hour,  without  ignition  of 
a clear  dry  white  pine  decking  beneath  it;  and  shall  not  crack  and 
expose  the  decking,  nor  slip  badly,  nor  convey  or  communicate  fire 
badly,  nor  produce  a serious  flying-brand  hazard  when  thus  exposed. 
The  test  shall  be  made  with  the  sample  at  the  maximum  angle  of 
inclination  advocated  in  practice.  The  brands  shall  consist  of  at 
least  ten  strips  of  seasoned  hard  maple  2 inches  square  and  3 feet 
long,  formed  into  a frame  or  grid  with  a 1%-inch  space  between 
them.  The  complete  grid  shall  be  thoroughly  ignited  and  burning 
before  application  to  the  roof  sample,  which  latter  shall  extend  on 
all  sides  at  least  18  inches  beyond  the  edges  of  the  grid. 

9.  The  first-resisting  properties  of  any  material  or  construction 
other  than  those  already  described  in  this  section  shall  be  determined 
by  such  tests  as  meet  the  approval  of  the  Supervisor. 

Idem. 


PART  XXIX. 


Strength  Test  for  Floor  Construction. 

440.  Test  of  Sample  Floor  Panel. 

1.  Any  system  of  fireproof  floor  construction  intended  for  use 
between  steel  beams  which  is  not  susceptible  of  analysis  and  compu- 
tation according  to  the  rules  of  design,  may  receive  approval  for  use 
for  spans  not  exceeding  8 feet,  on  the  basis  of  an  ultimate  load  test 
as  follows : 

2.  The  test  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  the  Supervisor  and 
shall  be  made  upon  a section  of  flooring  not  less  than  4 feet  wide, 
and  of  a span  corresponding  to  the  proposed  construction.  The  test 
load  shall  be  applied  at  points  or  loading  areas  located  at  the  third 
points  of  the  span.  Each  loading  area  shall  consist  of  a zone  of  the 
slab  surface  not  exceeding  1 foot  in  width,  and  of  a length  correspond- 
ing to  the  width  of  the  test  slab.  Rigidity  of  the  steel  framework 
may  be  secured  in  any  manner  acceptable  to  the  Supervisor,  but  in 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


129 


all  cases  ,one  end'  of  the  test  panel  shall  be  constructed  to  reproduce 
the  conditions  of  an  outside  or  end  panel  in  a building. 

A loose  sand  bed  not  over  one  inch  thick  may  be  provided  between 
the  floor  and  the  load.  Approved  methods  shall  be  used  for  applying 
the  test  load  and  measuring  the  deformations.  The  load  shall  be 
applied  gradually,  and  a complete  record  of  loads  and  deformations 
shall  be  kept  throughout  the  test.  The  allowable  working  load  shall 
be  one-sixth  the  total  load  causing  failure,  thus  providing  for  a factor 
of  safety  of  approximately  eight  on  the  basis  of  a uniformly  dis- 
tributed load.' 

3.  The  Supervisor  shall  keep  record  of  all  details  of  test  con- 
struction, and  approved  construction  shall  thereafter  be  installed  in 
every  respect  in  accordance  with  said  record. 

4.  The  application  of  a test  load  to  a segmental  arch  may  vary 
from  the  method  given  in  paragraph  2 if  necessary,  but  any  change 
shall  be  approved  by  the  Supervisor,  and  care  shall  be  taken  to  avoid 
possibility  of  arching  in  the  load. 

5.  If  for  reasons  stated  in  paragraph  1 a floor  panel  composed 
of  cinder  concrete,  or  concrete  made  from  other  fireproofing  materials, 
is  entitled  to  a test  for  approval ; or  if  the  methods  or  results  of  calcu- 
lation for  such  a floor  system  are  unsatisfactory  to  the  Supervisor,  he 
may  require  a confirmation  test.  In  either  case  the  test  shall  be  ap- 
plied in  the  manner  stated  in  paragraph  2,  except  that  if  the  system 
is  installed  in  practice  with  both  ends  of  the  floor  panel  freely  sup- 
ported, it  shall  be  so  tested;  if  installed  in  practice  with  both  ends 
‘of  the  reinforcement  securely  anchored  to  the  supporting  beams,  it 
shall  be  so  tested.  In  each  case  an  adjoining  span  may  be  built  at 
one  end,  of  the  same  length  and  thickness  as  the  test  span.  If  the 
reinforcement  consists  of  wire  mesh  or  similar  material  installed  by 
laying  the  mesh  continuously  over  the  supporting  beams,  it  shall  be 
considered  as  a condition  affording  only  partial  restraint,  and  the  test 
construction  shall  be  installed  as  follows : One  end1  of  the  test  sec- 
tion shall  be  freely  supported  on  the  steel  beam,  and  the  other  end 
made  continuous  by  installing  a span  equal  to  the  test  span  in  length 
and  thickness,  and  embedding  the  reinforcement  therein  in  the  usual 
manner. 

The  test  construction  shall  be  30  days  old  on  the  day  of  the  test. 

Idem. 

441.  Test  of  Systems  of  Construction. — When  a construction 
engineer,  contractor,  or  builder  proposes  new  methods  or  principles 


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NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


in  combining  concrete,  steel  or  other  structural  materials,  not  pro- 
vided for  by  this  Code ; or  designs  a construction  in  which  the  stresses 
are  indeterminate,  he  shall  furnish  for  record  with  the  Supervisor 
plans  and  specifications  giving  in  detail  the  construction  and  calcu- 
lations used  in  his  design.  He  shall  also  prepare  a sample  portion 
of  the  construction  and  submit  it  to  an  ultimate  load  test  in  a manner 
satisfactory  to  the  Supervisor;  or  the  Supervisor  may  accept  sat- 
isfactory evidence  that  such  test  has  been  made  upon  the  particular 
system  proposed.  Such  evidence  shall  comprise  full  details  of  a test 
and  the  results,  and  shall  show  the  deflections  and  other  effects  on  • 
the  construction  at  all  steps  during  the  test.  If  the  test  shows  that 
the  construction,  based  on  specifications  submitted,  has  a factor  of 
safety  of  four  on  total  dead  and  live  load,  and  that  the  design,  stresses, 
and  co-efficients  specified  by  this  Code  are  not  exceeded,  and  it  other- 
wise meets  the  approval  of  the  Supervisor,  he  shall  issue  regulations 
under  which  such  construction  may  be  used.  No  such  regulations, 
however,  shall  have  the  effect  of  altering  the  working  stresses  and  the 
requirements  for  fireproofing  specified  in  this  Code. 

Idem. 

442.  Test  of  W orhmanship  for  Floor  C onstruction. 

1.  Whenever  the  Supervisor  of  Buildings  has  doubt  as  to  quality 
of  materials  or  workmanship  in  any  building,  he  may  require  the 
owner  or  contractor  at  his  own  expense  to  make  such  tests  as  will 
establish  the  safety  of  the  construction  before  certificate  of  occupancy 
is  issued. 

2.  The  test  shall  be  under  the  direction  of  the  Supervisor,  and 
shall  show  that  the  construction  will  safely  sustain  a load  equal  to 
twice  the  live  load'  for  which  it  was  designed,  for  a period  of  24 
hours  without  injury  or  permanent  deformation.  In  the  test  of  a 
floor  arch  the  load  shall  be  applied  to  a typical  arch  of  average  span 
between  beams.  If  less  than  a whole  arch  between  girders  is  tested, 
the  test  section  shall  be  cut  apart  or  isolated1  from  the  rest  of  the  arch 
before  applying  the  load ; such  test  section  shall  have  a width  of  at 
least  4 feet  measuring  parallel  to  the  beams. 

3.  The  load  shall  consist  of  such  materials  and  shall  be  so  placed 
as  to  form  a uniformly  distributed  load  over  the  entire  area  to  be 
tested  without  arching  effect.  In  case  3and  or  similar  material  is 
used  for  loading,  it  shall  be  loose  in  bottomless  bins,  and  not  in  sacks 
or  packages  of  any  kind.  A complete  record  of  loads  and  deforma- 
tions shall  be  kept  throughout  the  test. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


131 


4.  At  least  30  days  shall  have  elapsed  after  removal  of  forms 
from  concrete  flooring  before  a test  load  is  applied. 

5.  If  the  portion  tested  should  fail  to  meet  the  requirement-  of  this 
test,  the  Supervisor  may  still  approve  the  structure  for  use,  and  if 
necessary,  tests  shall  be  repeated  on  different  portions  to  determine 
the  critical  load.  The  detail  records  of  this  test,  and  the  results  of 
the  tests  upon  the  samples  of  concrete  used  in  the  construction,  shall 
be  taken  into  consideration  by  the  Supervisor  in  determining  the 
working  load  to  be  permitted.  However,  it  shall  be  specifically  un- 
derstood that  no  sub-standard  construction  shall  be  accepted  by  the 
Supervisor,  if  in  his  judgment  it  is  sufficiently  defective  to  he  un- 
safe for  the  purpose  intended. 

Idem. 


PART  XXX. 


Chimneys,  Flues  and  Heating  Apparatus. 

443.  Certificate  of  Compliance. — Every  owner,  agent  or  prin- 
cipal contractor  or  person  properly  entitled  thereto  shall  demand  of 
and  receive  from  the  bricklayer  erecting,  remodeling  or  repairing 
aliy  chimney  or  flue  in  any  building  or  structure,  a certificate  from 
the  Supervisor  that  such  works  comply  with  the  building  laws  of  the 
City  of  Xashville,  and  the  said  bricklayer  shall  furnish  the  said  cer- 
tificate to  the  said  party  as  aforesaid  previous  to  settlement  for  the 
works  done. 

Idem. 

444.  Chimneys , Smoke  Flues , Gas  Flues  and  Fireplaces. 

1.  All  chimneys  hereafter  erected  shall  he  of  brick,  concrete  or 
stone,  extending  at  least  3 feet  above  the  point  of  contact  with  a flat 
roof  or  3 feet  above  the  ridge  of  a pitch  roof  if  at  the  apex  or  two 
feet  above  apex  if  in  center,  or  at  base  to  he  not  less  than  9 feet  above 
roof  and  shall  he  properly  capped  with  terra  cotta,  stone,  cement, 
cast  iron,  or  other  approved  incombustible  weatherproof  material  and 
all  mortar  shall  be  as  specified  in  Section  318. 

2.  The  brickwork  or  reinforced  concrete  of  the  smoke  flues  of  all 
boilers,  furnaces,  baker’s  ovens,  large  cooking  ranges,  large  laundry 
stoves,  and  all  flues  used  for  a similar  purpose  shall  be  at  least  8 
inches  in  thickness.  Walls  of  smoke  flues  used  exclusively  for  ordi- 


132 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


nary  stoves  or  open  fireplaces  shall  be  not  less  than  4 inches  thick. 
Brick  set  on  edge  shall  not  be  permitted  in  chimney  construction. 

3.  Where  two  or  more  smoke  flues  are  contained  in  the  same 
chimney,  the  walls  between  the  several  flues  shall  he  not  less  than  4 
inches  thick,  'provided  that  not  more  than  two  flue  tiles  may  be  placed 
and  run  side  by  side  without  the  4-inch  masonry  wall  between. 

4.  The  walls  of  stone  smoke  flues  shall  be'  4 inches  thicker  than 
required  for  brick  or  reinforced  concrete.  No  smoke  flue  shall  have 
stove  pipe  connections  in  more  than  one  story  of  the  building. 

5.  Every  smoke  flue  contained  in  a chimney  hereafter  erected 
shall  have  an  area  of  at  least  64  square  inches  for  a stove  pipe  flue 
and  an  area  of  at  least  96  square  inches  for  a fireplace  flue,  and  shall 
be  lined  with  hard  burned  fire  clay  flue  lining  made  smooth  on  the 
inside.  The  flue  lining  shall  start  from  the  bottom  of  the  flue,  or  from 
the  throat  of  the  fireplace  if  the  flue  starts  from  a fireplace,  and  shall 
be  carried  up  continuously  the  entire  height  of  the  flue.  The  ends 
of  the  sections  of  all  such  lining  tile  shall  be  laid  in  cement  mortar 
and  the  tile  shall  be  built  in  and  well  flushed  as  the  flues  are  car- 
ried up. 

No  parging  mortar  nor  plaster  shall  be  used  on  the  inside  of  any 
fireplace,  chimney  or  flue. 

6.  In  every  building,  where  one  or  more  smoke  flues  start  from 
the  cellar  or  lowest  story,  at  least  one  such  smoke  flue  shall  have  an 
internal  cross-sectional  area  of  at  least  96  square  inches  and  shall 
start  at  least  3 feet  below  the  ceiling. 

7.  In  no  case  shall  a chimney  be  corbeled  more  than  8 inches 
from  the  wall,  and  such  corbeling  shall  consist  of  at  least  five  courses 
of  brick.  Piers  which  support  chimneys  shall  start  from  the  founda- 
tion on  the  same  line  with  the  chimney  breast.  They  shall  be  not  less 
than  12  inches  on  the  face  and  shall  be  properly  bonded  into  the  walls. 
No  chimney  shall  rest  upon  nor  be  carried  by  woodwork.  No  com- 
bustible furring  or  sheathing  shall  be  placed  against  any  smoke  flue 
or  chimney  breast. 

8.  The  walls  of  flues  used  only  for  gas  burning  appliances  shall 
be  of  brick  or  concrete  at  least  4 inches  thick  and  lined  as  required 
in  paragraph  4 of  this  section.  Where  two  or  more  such  flues  are 
contained  in  the  same  chimney,  the  walls  between  the  several  flues 
shall  be  not  less  than  two  thicknesses  of  the  tile  lining  with  joints 
broken,  except  that  at  least  every  third  partition  shall  be  not  less  than 
4 inches  thick  of  brick  or  its  equivalent,  and  bonded  into  the  walls. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


133 


9.  The  smoke  flue  of  every  high  pressure  steam  boiler  and  every 
appliance  producing  a corresponding  temperature  in  the  smoke  flue* 
shall,  if  built  of  brick,  stone,  reinforced  concrete  or  other  approved 
masonry,  be  lined  on  all  sides  with  not  less  than  4 inches  of  fire  brick 
laid  in  fire  mortar  for  a distance  of  at  least  20  feet  from  the  point 
where  the  smoke  connection  of  the  boiler  enters  the  flue. 

10.  Interior  vertical  smoke  stacks  or  flues  for  steam  boilers  or 
other  furnaces,  and  similar  heating  devices  producing  a correspond- 
ing temperature,  may  be  of  metal  not  less  than  No.  10  U.  S.  gauge, 
properly  riveted,  jointed,  and  braced  at  intervals  of  at  least  20  feet. 
Such  stacks  shall  either  he  enclosied  by  approved  masonry  walls  not 
less  than  8 inches  thick  with  an  air  space  of  at  least  4 inches  between 
lining  and  wall;  or  if  such  stacks  or  flues  are  not  enclosed  with 
masonry  they  shall  have  a clearance  from  all  combustible  material 
of  not  less  than  one-half  the  diameter  of  the  stack,  but  not  less  than 
24  inches,  unless  the  combustible  material  be  properly  guarded  by 
loose-fitting  metal  shields,  in  which  case  the  distance  shall  be  not 
less  than  12  inches.  Where  such  a stack  passes  through  a wooden 
framed  roof,  it  shall  he  guarded  by  a galvanized  iron  ventilating 
thimble  extending  from  at  least  9 inches  below  the  under  side  of  the 
ceiling  or  roof  beams  to  at  least  9 inches  above  the  roof,  and  the 
ventilating  thimble  shall  have  a clearance  of  not  less  than  18  inches, 
except  that  for  stacks  for  low  grade  furnaces  such  as  hot  air,  hot 
water,  and  low  pressure  steam  heating  furnaces,  coffee  roasting  ovens, 
candy  furnaces,  etc.,  the  clearance  may  be  reduced  to  12  inches. 
Metal  smoke  stacks  shall  not  be  permitted  to  pass  through  floors. 
Smoke  flues  shall  not  be  permitted  inside  of  vent  flues  for  ranges. 

11.  Exterior  metal  smoke  flues  for  boilers,  large  cooking  ranges, 
and  similar  heating  devices,  shall  he  of  approved  construction  and 
supported  on  approved  masonry  foundations,  and'  shall  have  a clear- 
ance of  at  least  4 inches  from  the  outside  wall.  Such  flues  having 
an  area  not  exceeding  255  square  inches  shall  be  constructed  of  not 
less  than  No.  16  IT.  S.  gauge  metal;  if  the  area  exceeds  255  square 
inches,  the  thickness  of  the  metal  shall  be  not  less  than  No.  10  IT.  S. 
gauge. 

12.  The  smoke  flue  of  every  smelting  furnace  and  of  every  other 
device  which  heats  the  flue  to  an  extremely  high  temperature,  shall 
be  built  with  double  walls  of  thickness  suitable  for  the  temperature. 
There  shall  he  an  air  space  between  the  walls,  and  the  inside  wall 
shall  he  of  firebrick  not  less  than  4 inches  thick. 


134 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


13.  Chimneys  of  cupola-furnaces^  blast-furnaces,  and  similar  de- 
vices, shall  extend  at  least  10  feet  above  the  highest  point  of  any 

roof  within  a radius  of  50  feet,  and  no  woodwork  shall  he  within 
3 feet  of  any  part  of  any  such  device  or  its  chimney. 

14.  All  fireplaces  and  chimney  breasts  where  mantels  are  placed, 
whether  intended  for  ordinary  fireplace  use  or  not,  shall  have  trimmer 
arches  or  other  approved  fireproof  construction  supporting  hearths. 
The  arches  and  hearths  shall  be  at  least  24  inches  in  width  measured 
from  the  face  of  the  chimney  breast.  The  arches  shall  be  of  brick, 
stone,  terra  cotta  or  reinforced  concrete  of  approved  thickness.  The 
length  of  the  trimmer  arch  and  the  length  of  the  hearth  shall  be  not 
less  than  the  width  of  the  chimney  unless  approved  by  the  Inspector. 
The  hearth  shall  be  of  brick,  stone,  tile  or  other  approved  fireproof 
material.  False  fireplaces  shall  only  be  permitted  against  unfurred 
masonry  walls. 

15.  No  coal  burning  heater  shall  be  placed  in  a fireplace  which 
does  not  conform  to  the  foregoing  requirements  and  have  an  incom- 
bustible mantel.  No  wood  mantel  or  other  woodwork  shall  be  placed 
within  8 inches  of  the  side  nor  within  12  inches  of  the  top  of  any 
open  fireplace.  No  combustible  summer  piece  or  fireboard  shall  be 
used  in  connection  with  any  open  fireplace.  The  firebacks  of  all 
fireplaces  shall  be  of  solid  masonry  not  less  than  8 inches  thick. 

16.  When  a grate  is  set  in  a fireplace,  a lining  of  firebrick  at 
least  2 inches  in  thickness  shall  be  added  to  the  fireback,  or  soap- 
stone, tile  or  cast  iron  may  be  used,  if  solidly  backed  with  brick  or 
concrete. 

All  flue-holes  when  not  in  use  shall  be  closed  with  tight-fitting 
metal  covers. 

Idem. 

445.  Smoke  Pipes. — No  smoke  pipe  shall  pass  through  any  floor, 
or  wall,  or  roof.  Smoke  pipes  for  large  cooking  ranges,  hot  air  fur- 
naces, low  pressure  steam  or  hot  water  boilers  shall  be  not  less  than 
18  inches  below  or  away  from  any  wooden  joist  or  lath  and  plaster 
or  other  combustible  ceiling  or  wall,  the  upper  half  of  such  smoke 
pipe  to  be  properly  protected  by  1 inch  or  more  of  asbestos  covering 
or  its  equivalent,  or  by  a metal  casing  spaced  2 inches  from  the  upper 
half  of  the  pipe,  or  encased  with  wire  lath,  then  entirely  covered  with 
asbestos  covering  at  least  1 inch  thick. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


135 


446.  Heating  Furnaces  and  Appliances. 

1.  High  pressure  steam  boilers,  bakery  ovens  or  furnaces  in 
which  fires  are  maintained  producing  a high  degree  of  heat,  shall 
rest  on  the  ground,  a trimmer  arch,  or  a fireproof  floor  constructed 
in  accordance  with  Section  375. 

2.  Low  pressure  heating  boilers,  coffee  roasters,  fireheated  candy 
kettles,  laundry  stoves,  coal  ranges  without  legs,  and  similar  appliances 
where  hot  fires  are  used  in  other  than  residences,  shall  rest  upon 
fireproof  foundations  as  above  described.  However,  the  Supervisor’s 
written  permission  may  allow  them  to  be  placed  upon  wooden  floors 
if  the  floors  are  protected  by  sheet  metal  or  a %-inch  layer  of  asbestos 
covered  with  not  less  than  4 inches  of  masonry  set  in  cement  mortar. 
Such  masonry  shall  consist  of  one  course  of  4-inch  hollow  terra  cotta, 
or  of  two  courses  of  brick  or  terra  cotta,  at  least  one  of  which  shall 
be  hollow  and  be  laid  to  preserve  a free  circulation  of  air  through- 
out the  whole  course.  Concrete  may  be  substituted  for  a course  of 
solid  brick  if  desired.  The  masonry  work  shall  be  covered  by  sheet 
metal  of  not  less  tha  M>.  26  gauge,  so  arranged  as  not  to  obstruct 
the  ventilating  passages  beneath.  Such  hearths  shall  extend  at  least 
12  inches  on  the  sides,  back  and  front  of  the  furnace,  range  or  similar 
heating  appliance;  if  solid  fuel  is  used,  the  front  extension  shall  be 
at  least  24  inches. 

All  stoves  or  ranges  with  legs  shall  be  set  on  incombustile  material 
which  shall  extend  at  least  24  inches  in  front  when  solid  fuel  is  used. 

3.  Any  woodwork  or  wooden  lath  and  plaster  partition  within 
4 feet  of  the  sides  or  back,  or  6 feet  from  the  front  of  any  such  boiler, 
furnace  or  heating  appliance,  shall  be  covered  with  metal  shields  or 
other  approved  incombustible  material  to  a height  of  at  least  4 feet 
above  the  floor.  This  covering  shall  extend  the  full  length  of  the 
boiler,  furnace,  or  heating  appliance,  and  to  at  least  5 feet  in  front 
of  it.  Such  metal  shields  shall  be  so  attached  as  to  preserve  an  air 
space  behind  them.  In  no  case  shall  such  combustible  construction 
be  permitted  within  2 feet  of  the  sides  or  back  of  the  heating  appli- 
ance, or  5 feet  in  front  of  same. 

4.  Heating  boilers  shall  be  encased  on  sides  and  top  by  incom- 
bustible protective  covering  not  less  than  1%  inches  thick,  and  the 
overhead  clearance  of  such  covered  boilers  and  hot  air  furnaces  shall 
be  not  less  than  15  inches.  Any  woodwork  within  2 feet  of  the  top 
of  such  boilers  or  furnace  shall  be  protected  by  a loose  fitting  metal 


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NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


shield,  but  such  shields  shall  not  he  placed  so  as  to  form  concealed 
spaces. 

Idem. 

447.  Stoves  and  Ranges. 

1.  Ho  kitchen  range  or  stove  in  any  building  shall  he  placed 
less  than  3 feet  from  any  wooden  wainscot,  unless  the  woodwork  is 
properly  protected  by  metal  shields,  in  which  case  the  distance  shall 
be  not  less  than  18  inches. 

2.  Hotel  and  restaurant  ranges  shall  be  provided  with  a metal 
hood  placed  at  least  9 inches  below  any  wooden  lath  and  plaster  or 
wooden  ceiling,  and  have  an  individual  pipe  outlet  connected  wTith  a 
flue  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  Section  450.  The  pipe 
shall  be  protected  by  at  least  1 inch  of  asbestos  covey  ng,  or  its  equiva- 
lent. 

3.  Ho  furnace,  boiler,  range  or  other  heating  appliance  shall  be 
placed  against  a wall  furred  with  wood. 

Idem. 

448.  Vent  Pipes. — All  stone,  or  brick,  or  hot  air  flues  in  vertical 
walls  shall  be  lined  with  tin  or  other  suitable  sheet  metal  or  burnt 
clay  pipe. 

Idem. 

449.  Steam  and  Hot  Water  Pipes. — Ho  steam  or  hot  water  pipe 
shall  be  within  1 inch  of  any  woodwork.  Every  steam  or  hot  water 
pipe  passing  through  combustible  floors,  or  ceilings,  or  wooden  lath 
and  plaster  partitions,  shall  be  protected  by  a metal  tube  1 inch  larger 
in  diameter  than  the  pipe  and  be  provided  with  a close-fitting  metal 
cap  on  each  side  of  the  floor  or  partition.  The  pipe  shall  be  kept 
at  least  1 inch  away  from  woodwork.  Steam  and  hot  water  pipe  cov- 
erings shall  be  of  asbestos  or  other  incombustible  material. 

Idem. 

450.  Vent  Flues  and  Ducts. 

1.  Vent  flues  or  ducts  for  the  removal  of  foul  air  in  which  the 
temperature  of  the  air  cannot  exceed  that  of  the  room,  may  in  non- 
fireproof  buildings,  be  constructed  of  sheet  metal  or  other  incom- 
bustible material.  When  used  in  connection  with  an  exhaust  fan, 
such  duct  shall  not  be  placed  nearer  than  1 inch  to  any  woodwork. 
All  such  ducts  shall  open  to  the  outside  of  the  building. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


137 


2.  All  openings  into  such  vents  or  ducts  shall  he  protected  by 
automatic  or  self-closing  fire  doors,  or  by  automatic  closing  metal 
louvres  or  dampers. 

3.  Vent  flues  and  ducts  connected  with  hoods  over  restaurant 
ranges  shall  be  constructed  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  for 
smoke  flues,  Section  444,  and  for  smoke  pipes,  Section  445,  and  shall 
be  used  for  no  other  purpose. 

4.  All  ducts  from  blower  heating  and  ventilating  systems  (dwell- 
ings excepted)  which  pass  through  stories  shall  be  made  of  or  pro- 
tected throughout  by  approved  fire-resisting  material  not  less  than 
3 inches  thick  if  of  brick,  block,  or  tile;  or  2%  inches  of  solid  metal 
lath  and  cement  plaster.  Where  such  ducts  serve  more  than  one 
story,  automatic  dampers  shall  be  provided  on  all  outlets  opening 
directly  from  such  ducts  and  at  all  connections  with  branch  ducts. 

Idem. 

451.  Dry  Rooms. — Vo  combustible  materials  shall  be  permitted 
in  the  construction  of  any  dry  room  in  which  a temperature  of  125 
degrees  F.  or  over  may  exist.  If  a temperature  under  125  degrees 
F.  is  to  be  used,  the  dry  room  may  be  constructed  of  wood,  but  shall 
be  lined  throughout  with  %-inch  asbestos  or  ^-inch  plaster  board 
and  covered  with  sheet  metal;  or  the  covering  may  consist  of  metal 
lath  or  plaster  board,  plastered  to  a total  thickness  of  at  least  %-inch. 
Cement  plaster  or  cement-tempered  plaster  shall  be  used. 

Idem. 


PART  XXXI. 


Existing  Buildings  Raised,  Altered,  Repaired  or  Moved. 

452,  Buildings  Raised , Altered , Repaired  or  Moved. 

1.  Within  the  fire  limits  every  existing  building  having  a com- 
bustible roof,  if  raised  to  produce  an  additional  story,  shall  be  pro- 
vided with  an  incombustible  roof. 

2.  Vo  building  within  the  fire  limits  having  masonry  walls  shall 
be  enlarged  or  built  upon  unless  the  addition  to  the  exterior  walls  be 
of  approved  incombustible  materials. 

3.  Vo  existing  building  shall  be  altered  to  exceed  the  limits  of 
height  or  area  provided  by  this  Code  for  new  buildings  of  the  same 
class  as  that  to  which  the  additions  are  made. 


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NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


4.  No  existing  frame  building  shall  be  raised  to  a height  ex- 
ceeding 30  feet,  except  that  dwellings . occupied  by  not  more  than 
one  family,  may  be  raised  to  35  feet.  Buildings  so  raised  shall  comply 
with  all  the  requirements  of  this  Code  relating  to  frame  buildings. 

5.  Within  the  fire  limits  no  frame  building  more  than  two  stories 
in  height  shall  be  altered  to  be  used  as  a factory,  warehouse  or  stable. 

6.  No  frame  building  within  the  fire  limits  shall  be  increased 
in  area  by  frame  additions,  except  that  frame  extensions  to  be  used 
exclusively  for  toilet  purposes  may  be  permitted,  but  any  such  ex- 
tension shall  have  an  approved  roof  covering. 

7.  Any  frame  building  which  may  hereafter  have  the  first  story 
converted  into  a store,  shall  have  the  walls,  partitions  and  ceiling 
of  such  first  story  covered  with  metal  lath  or  %-inch  fibre  plaster 
board  and  plastered  to  a total  thickness  of  at  least  %-inch ; or  the 
plaster  board  may  be  covered  wfith  sheet-  metal.  Fire  stops  shall  also 
be  provided  at  the  line  of  the  ceiling  to  cut  off  all  connections  to 
stories  above  through  hollow  stud  partitions  or  side  walls. 

8.  Any  existing  frame  building  within  the  fire  limits  which  may 
hereafter  be  damaged  by  fire,  decay  or  otherwi  se  to  an  amount  greater 
than  one-half  of  its  value  exclusive  of  the  foundation,  shall  not  be 
repaired  or  rebuilt,  but  shall  be  immediately  condemned  and  re- 
moved. 

9.  No  frame  building  shall  be  removed  from  without  to  within 
the  fire  limits. 

10.  No  building  shall  be  moved  until  a permit  has  been  ob- 
tained from  the  Supervisor,  and  he  shall  not  issue  such  permit  • if 
in  his  judgment  the  proposed  new  location  of  the  building  would 
seriously  increase  the  fire  hazard  of  the  surrounding  buildings. 

Idem. 


PART  XXXII. 


Frame  Buildings. 

453.  Permissible  Wooden  Buildings  or  Structures  within  Fire 
Limits. — No  frame  building  or  structure  shall  be  erected  within  the 
fire  limits  except  the  following ; and  all  roofs  placed  upon  such  build- 
ings or  structures  shall  have  approved  covering: 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


139 


(a)  Temporary  one-story  frame  buildings  for  use  of  builders, 
and  temporary  stands,  platforms,  booths  and  tents,  for  which  permits 
shall  he  obtained  from  the  Supervisor.  Such  frame  structures  for 
use  of  builders  in  connection  with  the  erection  of  a new  building 
shall  be  removed  as  soon  as  the  building  is  completed;  other  tem- 
porary frame  structures  shall  be  removed  as  soon  as  they  have  ceased 
to  serve  the  original  purpose  for  which  they  were  permitted ; 

(b)  One-story  sheds  open  on  all  sides  and  not  over  12  feet  high, 
and  with  an  area  not  exceeding  500  square  feet.  A wooden  fence 
shall  not  be  used  to  form  the  back  or  side  of  such  shed's  or  any  other 
structure ; 

(c)  Wooden  fences  not  over  7 feet  high ; 

(d)  Piazzas  or  balconies  not  exceeding  16  feet  in  width,  nor 
extending  more  than  3 feet  above  the  second-story  floor  beams  except 
in  residences.  hTo  such  structure  shall  extend  beyond  the  lot  line, 
or  be  joined  to  any  similar  structure  of  another  building; 

(e)  Bay  windows  when  covered  with  incombustible  material,  and 
as  limited  by  Section  365,  paragraph  4; 

(f)  Small  outhouses  not  exceeding  400  square  feet  in  area  and 
one  story,  or  12  feet,  in  height  ; 

(g)  Outhouses  shall  not  be  less  than  two  feet  of  any  lot  line, 
nor  less  than  30  feet  from  any  other  building  over  one  story  high. 

Idem. 

454.  Frame  Buildings  Outside  of  Fire  Limits. 

1.  ~No  frame  building  shall  exceed  two  stories,  except  that  dwell- 
ings occupied  by  not  more  than  two  families  may  have  two  and  one- 
half  stories.  The  attic  in  a two-and-a-half-story  house  may  be  used 
for  sleeping  rooms,  but  not  for  living  purposes.  ISTo  family  shall 
be  domiciled  above  the  second  story.  A church  spire  may  be  con- 
structed of  wood  to  a height  not  exceeding  75  feet  from  the  ground, 
but  such  spire  shall  not  be  placed  nearer  any  other  building  or  struc- 
ture than  the  equivalent  of  its  height  measured  from  its  masonry 
support  to  the  pinnacle. 

2.  All  frame  buildings  or  structures  shall  have  approved  roof 
coverings  as  herein  provided. 

3.  No  frame  building  erected  for  any  occupancy  other  than  build- 
ings of  Class  F,  shall  cover  a ground  area  exceeding  5,000  square 
feet,  except  as  restricted  in  paragraph  4;  except  also  that  a frame 


140 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


building  equipped  with  an  approved  system  of  automatic  sprinklers, 
may  have  an  increase  in  area  of  66  2/3  per  cent,  or  8,333  square 
feet, 

4.  Frame  buildings  of  Class  F,  and  frame  buildings  of  other 
classes  having  an  area  exceeding  5,000  square  feet  without  sprinklers, 
shall  not  be  placed  within  35  feet  of  any  side  or  rear  lot  line;  and 
if  the  area  exceeds  7,500  square  feet,  the  distance  from  a side  or 
rear  lot  line  shall  be  not  less  than  100  feet. 

5.  The  combined  area  of  frame  buildings,  sheds  and  outhouses 
located  on  any  lot  shall  not  exceed1  80  per  cent,  of  the  lot  area. 

6.  In  uo  case  shall  a frame  building  with  wooden  siding  be 
erected  or  altered  to  extend  nearer  than  3 feet  of  the  side  or  rear 
lot  line. 

7.  Floor  beams  and  rafters  in  frame  buildings  shall  be  not  less 
than  2 inches  in  thickness.  All  frame  or  wood  buildings  exceeding 
15  feet  in  height  shall  have  ‘their  sills  secured  to  the  foundations  in 
a secure  manner  and  be  erected  with  sills,  posts,  girts,  and  plates 
of  suitable  size  and  materials  with  proper  framing  and  braced  with 
studs  at  all  angles,  but  this  shall  not  prohibit  the  use  of  balloon  fram- 
ing with  proper  sills  and  ribbon  strip  not  less  than  1^x4:  inches 
where  diagonal  sheathing  is  used,  and  provided  that  the  outside  walls 
are  fire  stopped  at  each  floor  level  as  required  by  Section  457,  para- 
graph 3. 

Idem . 

455.  One-story  frame  dwellings  and  outhouses  may  have  founda- 
tions of  cedar  posts  set  not  less  than  eighteen  inches  in  ground  on 
18x1 8-inch  stone  bases,  or  on  brick  or  concrete  piers  not  less  than 
12x1 2-inch,  none  of  which  shall  be  over  eight  feet  on  centers, 

2.  Under  no  circumstances  shall  the  foundation  of  any  brick  or 
stone  building  be  built  upon  filled  or  made  earth  unless  approved 
footings  be  constructed. 

3.  All  buildings  except  as  above  stated  shall  have  foundations 
of  brick,  stone  or  reinforced  concrete. 

4.  Where  metal  is  incorporated  or  forms  part  of  the  foundation, 
it  shall  be  thoroughly  protected  from  rust  by  paint,  concrete  or  other 
approved  methods  of  protection. 

5.  Foundations  for  all  chimneys  or  flues  shall  be  of  brick,  stone 
or  concrete. 

6.  All  foundation  walls  not  resting  on  solid  rock  shall  be  pro- 
vided with  footing  properly  proportioned  to  carry  the  super-imposed 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


141 


load  on  the  soil  where  they  are  used.  And  in  all  cases  where  con- 
crete foundations  are  used  in  clay  or  dirt  soil  a footing  12  inches 
wider  than  the  thickness  of  the  foundation  wall  proper  shall  he  pro- 
vided. 

7.  Foundation  walls  of  hollow  building  blocks  shall  he  not  less 
than  12  inches  thick  in  any  part,  and  shall  be  constructed  as  specified 
in  Section  273,  paragraph  4. 

8.  Footings  and  foundation  walls  shall  be  laid  in  cement  mortar. 

Idem. 

456.  Provide  and  set  cast  iron  air  grates  at  intervals  of  16  feet 
in  all  outside  foundation  walls. 

Idem. 

457.  Walls  and  Partitions  in  Frame*  Buildings. 

1.  In  rows  of  one-story  frame  houses  used  by  separate  families 
the  dividing  walls  or  partitions  between  houses  shall  preferably  be 
built  of  brick,  terra  cotta,  concrete  or  other  approved  incombustible 
material;  or  they  may  be  built  of  wooden  studding.  Such  dividing 
partitions  if  of  masonry  shall  rest  on  masonry  walls  or  if  of  studding, 
on  wooden  girders.  In  rows  of  more  than  three  houses,  every  alternate 
division  wall  or  partition  shall  be'  constructed  of  brick  or  concrete 
not  less  than  8 inches  thick.  These  walls  shall  extend  from  front  to 
rear,  be  solid  without  openings,  and  shall  extend  at  least  2 feet 
above  the  roof,  and  be  coped.  If  such  parapet  be  of  concrete,  or 
if  the  top  six  courses  of  brick  be  laid  in  Portland  cement,  the  coping 
may  be  omitted. 

2.  The  ends  of  floor  beams  entering  such  walls  from  opposite 
sides  shall  be  so  staggered  or  separated  that  there  shall  be  not  less 
than  4 inches  of  masonry  between  the  beams  where  they  rest  on  the 
walls. 

3.  Timber  posts  and  girders  or  other  approved  supports  may  be 
used  instead  of  brick  fore  and  aft  partitions,  in  cellars  of  frame 
buildings. 

4.  In  all  frame  buildings  which  are  to  be  lathed  and  plastered 
or  otherwise  sheathed  on  the  inside,  all  stud  walls  shall  be  completely 
fire-stopped  with  suitable  wooden  fire  blocking  at  each  floor  level. 
Partitions  which  rest  over  each  other  shall  be  fire^stopped  as  re- 
quired in  Section  360,  paragraph  3.  The  fire-stopping  shall  be  ar- 
ranged to  cut  off  all  concealed  draft  openings,  and  form  an  effectual 
horizontal  fire  barrier  between  stories  or  floor  and  ceiling  lines. 

Idem. 


142 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


458.  Partitions  in  Old  Stores,  Etc. 

1.  Where  it  is  desired*  to  construct  temporary  dividing  or  parti- 
tion walls  in  the  first  story  of  a store  or  business  house  already  built, 
and  it  is  impracticable  to  construct  brick,  concrete  or  hollow  tile  divi- 
sion walls  (as  for  example  the  separating  of  one  store  room  into 
twTo  or  more  stores  with  or  without  cross  walls  or  separate  front  en- 
trances in  a building  already  constructed)  ; 

2.  It  is  lawful  to  erect  a non-bearing  stud  wall  with  block  bridg- 
ing six  feet  apart,  using  metal  lath  or  fireproof  plaster  board  and 
cement  plaster  on  each  side; 

3.  Or  a fireproof  wall  of  steel  ribbed  lath; 

4.  Or  a plastic  wall  of  gypsum  bar ; 

5.  Or  a similar  class  of  construction  with  cement  plaster  on 
each  side; 

b.  But  no  such  walls  shall  be  constructed  of  tongued  and  grooved 
plank,  or  similar  woodwork,  or  of  sheet  metal,  or  of  beaver  board,  or 
a similar  paper  fibre  product  in  this  or  any  other  class  of  business 
houses,  hotel,  apartment,  fiat,  or  office,  or  where  people  room  or  sleep ; 

T.  Provided,  that  walls  of  sash  and  glass  with  wooden  bases  not 
over  five  feet  high  may  be  erected  within  stores  or  offices,  but  not 
for  separating  one  business  from  another  business  where  goods  or 
materials  are  stored  or  on  sale; 

8.  And  further  provided,  that  porches  on  residences  in  the  second 
and  third  zones  may  he  enclosed  with  walls  of  sash  and  glass  with 
base  not  over  five  feet  high  of  studding  with  metal  lath  and  stucco 
outside  and  plastered  or  ceiled  up  to  sash  line  inside; 

9.  And  no  wall  shall  extend  above  top  line  of  base  except  it  he 
of  glass  and  sash  as  herein  provided  and  not  over  eight  inches  of 
woodwork  shall  be  placed  between  such  sash. 

Idem. 


PART  XXXIII. 


Standpipe  Requirements. 

459.  1.  In  existing  buildings  not  already  provided  with  a 2-inch 
standpipe  for  private  protection  or  a 2%-inch  or  larger  standing  pipe 
for  fire  department  use,  and  in  buildings  hereafter  erected,  except 
as  given  below,  there  shall  be  provided: 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


143 


For  buildings  not  more  than  three  stories,  or  40  feet  in  height, 
standpipes  for  private  protection  not  less  than  2 inches  in  diameter. 

For  buildings  four  stories,  or  55  feet  in  height,  to  six  stories,  or 
75  feet  in  height,  standpipes  for  fire  department  use  not  less  than 
2%  inches  in  diameter. 

For  other  buildings  in  excess  of  six  stories,  or  75  feet  in  height, 
standpipes  for  fire  department  use  not  less  than  3 inches  in  diame- 
ter. 

Exceptions : 

Sprinkled  buildings  where  the  requirements  of  this  section  are 
met  by  connecting  hose  to  sprinkler  riser. 

Other  buildings  having  maximum  undivided  fire  section  of  less 
than  2,500  square  feet  area  and  provided  with  at  least  one  2%-gallon 
approved  chemical  extinguisher  to  each  fire  section. 

Dwellings. 

Churches. 

Buildings  not  over  one  story  high  having  hydrants  (within  150 
feet  of  all  parts  of  buildings)  housed  and  provided  with  one  150- 
foot  length  of  standard  2%-inch  hose  attached,  with  1-inch  nozzle, 
wrenches,  etc.,  with  pressure  not  less  than  25  pounds,  allowing  a full 
flow  through  a 2% -inch  outlet. 

2.  The  location  of  all  necessary  standpipes  shall  be  as  directed 
by  the  Supervisor  of  Buildings  and  the  Chief  of  the  Fire  Department. 

3.  Where  more  than  one  standpipe  is  required  in  a building  they 
shall  be  connected  at  their  bases  by  a pipe  of  equal  size  to  that  of  the 
largest  standpipe. 

4.  All  standpipes  shall  extend  from  the  cellar  to  and  through 
the  roof  with  hose  connection  and  gate  valve  not  over  6 feet  above 
level  of  each  story,  including  cellar,  and  two  hose  connections  and 
gate  valve  for  each  on  the  roof.  All  connections  to  standpipes  for 
private  protection  shall  be  1%  inches  in  diameter  and  those  for 
fire  department  use  2%  inches  in  diameter. 

5.  Where  standpipes  are  located  inside  of  building,  hose  sufficient 
to  reach  to  all  parts  of  fire  section,  but  not  in  excess  of  100  feet, 
shall  be  attached  to  each  outlet,  with  hose  for  roof  hydrant  either 
in  hose  hydrant  room  on  roof  or  on  rack  in  top  story  near  roof  scuttle! 
Hose  to  be  used  by  Fire  Department  shall  be  not  less  than  2%  inches 
in  diameter  and  be  provided  with  standard  couplings  in  use  by  the 
local  Fire  Department.  Hose  to  be  used  in  connection  with  stand- 
pipes for  private  protection  shall  be  1 % inches  in  diameter. 


144 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


6.  Hose  to  be  used  in  connection  with  standpipes  for  fire  depart- 
ment use  shall  be  approved  cotton  rubber  lined  and  that  for  private 
protection  use  approved  linen  made  under  specifications  recommended 
by  the  National  Board  of  Fire  Under  writers.  All  hose  shall  be  in 
50-foot  lengths,  the  linen  hose  being  properly  racked,  and  the  cotton 
rubber-lined  hose  installed  on  a reel. 

7.  Eash  line  of  hose  shall  be  provided  with  washers  at  both 
ends,  and  be  fitted  with  smooth  bore  brass  play  pipe  or  nozzle  at 
least  12  inches  long,  the  nozzle  for  Fire  Department  use  having  a 
discharge  outlet  1%  inches  in  diameter  and  that  for  private  use  % 
of  an  inch  in  diameter.  One  spanner  to  be  located  at  each  hose 
connection. 

8.  Standpipe  shall  be  wrought  iron  or  steel,  galvanized,  and  those 
for  Fire  Department  use,  together  with  fittings  and  connections, 
shall  be  of  such  strength  as  to  safely  withstand  at  least  400  pounds 
of  water  pressure  to  the  square  inch  when  ready  for  service,  without 
leaking  at  joints,  valves  or  fittings  ; such  'tests  may  be  made  by  the 
Chief  of  the  Fire  Department. 

9.  Standpipes  for  private  protection  shall  be  provided  with  an 
auxiliary  water  supply  where  the  city  pressure  is  less  than  25  pounds 
at  hose  outlet  in  top  story.  This  auxiliary  supply  shall  be  provided 
by  the  installation  of  a gravity  tank  of  not  less  than  2,500  gallons 
capacity  for  each  riser,  same  to  have  an  elevation  of  at  least  20  feet 
above  roof;  or  steel  pressure  tank  of  not  less  than  3,750-gallon  capac- 
ity for  each  riser,  kept  2/3  full  of  water  and  1/3  full  of  air  under 
pressure  of  not  less  than  75  pounds  and  located  not  lower  than  high- 
est outlet  of  standpipe;  or  automatic  pump  of  at  least  200  gallons  per 
minute  capacity. 

10.  Standpipe  for  private  protection  shall  be  connected  to  the 
City  water  main  or  other  source  of  supply  through  cast  iron  pipe  at 
least  1 inch  greater  in  diameter  than  the  riser.  The  size  of  this  con- 
nection shall  be  increased  %-inch  in  diameter  for  each  additional 
riser  over  one. 

11.  Standpipes  for  Fire  Department  use  shall  be  connected  to 
a two-way  Siamese  steamer  connection  outside  of  the  building  by 
a pipe  of  diameter  equal  to  that  of  the  largest  standpipe  supplied. 
Such  connection  shall  be  made  on  each  street  front,  except  that  cor- 
ner buildings  having  one  street  frontage  of  less  than,  50  feet  may 
have  only  one  connection.  Siamese  shall  be  about  one  foot  above 
the  curb  level,  and  shall  be  provided  with  check  valves,  and  substan- 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


145 


tial  caps  to  protect  thread  on  the  connection;  the  thread  shall  be 
uniform  with  that  used  by  the  local  Fire  Department.  A suitable 
iron  plate  with  raised  letters  shall  be  provided,  reading:  aTo  Stand- 
pipe.” 

12.  Fire  pumps,  permanently  connected  to  the  standpipe  system, 
shall  be  provided  for  buildings  eight  stories  or  more  in  height,  and 
in  any  building  in  excess  of  10,000  square  feet  area,  with  capacities 
as  follows : 

A.  One  2'%-inch  standpipe,  pump  capacity  not  less  than  250 
gallons  a minute; 

B.  One  3-inch  standpipe  or  two  inter-connected  2%-inch  stand- 
pipes, pump  capacity  not  less  than  400  gallons  a minute; 

C.  Two  3-inch  standpipes,  pump  capacity  not  less  than  500  gal- 
lons a minute; 

D.  Pump  to  have  an  adequate  source  of  power  and  be  supplied 
from  street  main  or  from  well  or  cistern  containing  at  least  one  hour’s 
full  supply;  suction  piping  to  be  well  installed. 

Idem. 


PART  XXXIV. 


Sprixkl.ee  Requirements. 

460.  Sprinklers. 

1.  In  all  new  or  existing  buildings,  an  approved  automatic  sprink- 
ler system,  so  constructed  as  to  protect  every  square  foot  of  floor 
area,  shall  be  provided  as  follows: 

(a)  In  every  cellar,  basement,  or  sub-basement,  including  spaces 
under  sidewalks,  used'  for  the  manufacture,  sale,  or  storage  of  com- 
bustible goods  or  merchandise. 

Exceptions  : Class  A,  B,  C,,  arid  D buildings  and  office  build- 
ings, except  such  portions  of  cellars,  basements  and  sub-basements 
as  are  used  for  storage  purposes  or  as  -workshops. 

All  buildings  outside  the  fire  limits  and  with  basement  section  of 
less  than  2,500  square  feet  area. 

(b)  Throughout  all  buildings  having  maximum  fire  area  in  ex- 
cess of  those  permitted  in  Section  294. 

(c)  Throughout  all  buildings  of  Class  E and  F,  where  the  height 
exceeds  five  stories,  except  that  in  office  buildings  such  system  shall 


146 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


be  required  only  in  sample,  shipping,  storage  or  stock  rooms  which 
exceed  1,000  square  feet  area  and  contain  combustible  goods  or 
supplies  ' not  stored  in  enclosed  fire-resisting  shelving. 

(d)  Throughout  Class  E and  F buildings  over  two  stories  high, 
used  for  the  manufacture,  sale  or  storage  of  combustible  goods  or  mer- 
chandise, if  within  50  feet  of  other  buildings  having  wall  openings 
not  protected  as  given  in  Section  351,  or  if  in  non-fireproof  build- 
ings. 

(e)  Over  all  heating  furnaces  or  boilers  in  Class  A,  B,  C,  and 
D buildings,  unless  in  fireproof  rooms,  except  dwellings. 

2.  Sprinkler  heads  shall  be  a kind  approved  by  the  Underwriters’ 
Laboratories,  Inc.,  of  Chicago,  or  by  the  Associated  Factory  Mutual 
Laboratories,  of  Boston. 


3.  Sprinkler  heads  shall  be  so  placed  as  to  thoroughly  protect  all 
parts  of  the  area  in  which  they  are  installed,  including  spaces  under 
stairs,  inside  elevator  wells,  in  belt,  cable,  pipe,  gear  and  pulley  boxes, 
inside  small  enclosures,  such  as  drying  and  heating  boxes,  tenter  and 
dry  room  enclosures,  chutes,  conveyor  trunks,  and  all  cupboards  and 
closets  unless  they  have  tops  entirely  open  and  are  so  located  that 
sprinklers  can  properly  spray  therein.  Each  sprinkler  head  to  pro- 
tect not  in  excess  of  100  square  feet  area. 

4.  The  size  of  riser  serving  any  one  floor  of  one  fire  area  shall 
not  be  less  than  the  following,  and  the  number  of  sprinklers  on  a 
given  size  pipe  on  one  floor  of  one  fire  area  shall  not  exceed  the  fol- 


lowing : 

Size  of  Pipe. 
%-inch  . . . 

1 -inch  . . . 

14/4-inch  . . . 
1 1/2-inch  . . . 

2 -inch  . . . 

21/2-inch  . . • 

3 -inch  . . , 

3 l/o-inch  . . , 

4 -inch  . . . 

5 -inch  . . . 

6 -inch  . . . 


Maximum  No.  of 
Sprinklers  Allowed 
....  1 sprinkler 

....  2 sprinklers 

....  3 sprinklers 

....  5 sprinklers 

....  10  sprinklers 
....  20  sprinklers 
....  36  sprinklers 
....  55  sprinklers 
....  80  sprinklers 
....  140  sprinklers 
. . . .200  sprinklers 


5.  Each  system  shall  be  provided  with  an  outside  screw  and  yoke 
gate  valve  so  located1  as  to  be  readily  accessible  and1  to  control  all 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


147 


sources  of  water  supply  except  that  from  steamer  connections.  Drain 
pipes  shall  be  provided,  and  the  system  so  installed  as  to  drain  all 
parts. 

6.  A dry  pipe  system  shall  be  used  only  when  a wet  pipe  system 
is  impracticable,  as  in  buildings  which  have  no  heating  facilities. 

7.  Two  independent  water  supplies  shall  be  provided,  at  least 
one  of  which  shall  be  automatic.  Provided , that,  where  sprinklers  are 
required  only  in  cellars,  basements,  and  first  stories,  a connection  to 
street  main  will  be  deemed  sufficient. 

8.  Pressure  tanks,  if  used,  shall  have  a total  capacity  of  not  less 
than  4,500  gallons  (3,000  gallons  of  water),  and  in  any  event  the 
tank  or  tanks  shall  contain  sufficient  water  to  supply  12%  per  cent, 
of  the  greatest  number  of  sprinklers  within  a fire  area  on  any  one 
fioor  for  20  minutes  with  an  average  discharge  of  20  gallons  per 
minute  per  sprinkler. 

9.  Gravity  tanks,  if  used,  shall  contain  an  available  quantity  of 
water  sufficient  to  supply  25  per  cent,  of  the  greatest  number  of  sprink- 
lers in  a fire  area  on  any  floor  to  which  it  gives  protection,  for  20 
minutes  with  an  average  discharge  per  sprinkler  or  20'  gallons  per 
minute,  but  tank  shall  be  not  less  than  5,000  gallons  available  capac- 
ity. 

Elevation  of  bottom  of  tank  above  the  highest  line  of  sprinklers 
on  the  system  which  it  supplies  shall  be  not  less  than  20  feet. 

10.  Eire  pumps,  if  used,  shall  be  of  not  less  than  500  gallons 
capacity  per  minute,  and  sufficient  to  supply  50  per  cent  of  the  num- 
ber of  sprinklers:  within  a fire  area  on  any  floor  with  an  average 
discharge  per  sprinkler  of  20  gallons1  a minute.  Pump  to  have  an 
adequate  source  of  power  and  be  supplied  from  street  main  or  from 
well  or  cistern  containing  one  hour’s  full  supply  for  the  number  of 
sprinklers  judged  liable  to  be  open  by  fire*  at  any  one  time;  suction 
piping  to  be  well  installed. 

11.  The  system  shall  be  connected  to  a Siamese  steamer  connec- 
tion outside  of  the  building  by  a pipe  of  diameter  equal  to  that  of 
the  largest  standpipe  supplied.  Such  connection  shall  be  made  on 
each  'Street  front,  except  that  corner  buildings  having  one  street  front- 
age of  less  than  50  feet  may  have  only  one  connection.  Siamese  shall 
be  about  one  foot  above  the  curb  level  and  shall  be  provided  with 
check  valves,  and  substantial  caps  to  protect  thread  on  the  connec- 
tion; the  thread  shall  be  uniform  with  that  used  by  the  local  fire 
department.  A suitable  iron  plate  with  raised  letters  shall  be  pro- 


148 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


vided,  reading:  “To  Basement  Sprinkler”  or  “To  Cellar  Sprinkler,” 
where  only  these  are  installed,  or  “To  Automatic  Sprinkler,”  where 
entire  building  is  equipped. 

12.  Just  inside  of  the  building,  in  a horizontal  section,  shall  be 
placed  a straightway  check  valve.  A drip  pipe,  with  valve  to  same, 
shall  be  placed  between  said  check  valve  and  Siamese  connection  to 
properly  drain  this  section  to  prevent  freezing. 

13.  Piping  shall  be  wrought  iron  or  steel,  galvanized,  and,  to- 
gether with  fittings  and.1  connections,  shall  be  of  such  strength  as  to 
safely  withstand  at  least  150  pounds  water  pressure  to  the  square 
inch  for  2 hours  when  ready  for  service,  without  leaking  at  joints, 
valves  or  fittings  ; such  test  to  be  made  by  the  Chief  of  the  Eire 
Department. 

14.  All  such  sprinkler  equipments  shall  be  in  accordance  with  the 
regulations  of,  and  plans  shall  meet  the  approval  of  the  Chief  of 
the  Eire  Department. 

Idem. 


PART  XXX Y. 


Construction  and  Equipment  of  Theatres. 

461.  Buildings  Covered. — Every  theatre  or  opera  house  or  other 
building  or  parts  of  building  designed  or  used  for  theatrical  or 
operatic  purposes,  or  motion  picture  shows,  shall  be  built  to  comply 
with  the  requirements  of  this  Code. 

Idem. 

462.  Capacity.- — -The  Supervisor  shall  determine  the  number  of 
persons  which  every  such  building  may  accommodate.  This  deter- 
mination shall  be  based  on  the  actual  number  of  seats  and  an  allow- 
ance of  3 square  feet  per  person  for  all  parts  of  the  auditorium  or 
galleries  where  “standing  room”  may  be  provided.  By  standing  room 
is  meant  such  space  in  which  by  law  persons  may  be  permitted  to 
stand  during  any  performance.  Such  measurements  are  to  be  ex- 
clusive of  required  aisles,  passageways  and  lobbies.  Xo  more  than 
the  number  so  determined  and  certified  by  the  Supervisor  shall  be 
allowed  in  such  structure  at  any  one  time. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


149 


463.  Alterations. — No  building  which  at  the  time  of  the  passage 
of  this  Code  is  not  in  actual  use  of  the  purposes  indicated  in  Section 
461  shall  he  altered  or  added  to  for  the  purpose  of  converting  the 
same  into  a theatre,  opera  house,  or  for  use  by  a motion  picture  show, 
unless  when  altered  or  added  to,  it  conforms  to  the  requirements  of 
this  Code. 

Idem. 

464.  Approvals  Required. — No  building  described  in  Section 
461  shall  be  opened  to  the  public  until  the  Supervisor  of  Buildings, 
the  Chief  of  Fire  Department  and  the  Electrical  Inspector  have 
jointly  approved  the  same  in  writing  in  conformity  with  this  Code. 

Idem. 

465.  Fireproof  Building  Over  Auditorium. — Nothing  herein 
contained  shall  prevent  the  construction  of  a thoroughly  fireproof 
building  above  a fireproof  theatre,  provided  no  part  of  such  fireproof 
building  shall  be  placed  above  that  portion  of  any  such  building  which 
is  known  as  the  stage  section.  The  portion  containing  the  theatre, 
including  all  passages,  lobbies  and  other  accessories  connecting  there- 
with, shall  be  cut  off  vertically  from  such  fireproof  building  by  un- 
pierced fire  walls  of  solid  masonry  not  less  than  12  inches  thick,  and 
horizontally  by  unpierced  fireproof  floors  of  strength  to  safely  sus- 
tain a live  load  of  150  pounds  per  square  foot  on  every  superficial 
foot. 

Idem. 

466.  Roof  Garden. 

1.  A roof  garden  or  open  air  auditorium  (but  no  other  place  of 
public  amusement)  may  be  constructed  above  a fireproof  building 
used  for  theatrical  purposes  built  in  conformity  with  the  requirements 
of  this  Code.  Such  roof  garden  or  open  air  auditorium  shall  have 
not  less  than  60  per  cent,  of  its  total  floor  area  open  to  the  sky  with- 
out a roof,  except  that  a cover  of  glass  and  metal1  skylight  construc- 
tion may  be  provided,  and  no  part  of  its  seating  floor,  or  space  upon 
which  seats  might  be  placed,  shall  be  at  greater  height  than  90  feet 
above  the  curb  level  at  the  main  entrance  to  the  building.  The  total 
capacity  of  such  roof  garden  or  open  air  auditorium  shall  not  exceed 
750  persons,  figured  on  the  same  basis  as  that  provided  in  Section 
437.  The  construction  of  such  roof  garden  or  open  air  auditorium 
shall  be  fireproof  and  shall  conform  in  every  way  to  the  requirements 
of  this  Code. 


150 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


2.  The  size  of  entrances  and1  exits,  corridors  and  stairways  shall 
be  50  per  cent,  greater  than  the  corresponding  requirements  for  the- 
atres where  the  orchestra  floor  is  at,  or  about  the  street  level.  If 
an  audience  is  to  be  assembled  in  the  theatre,  at  the  same  time  as  in 
the  open  air  auditorium  or  roof  garden  constructed  above  the  same, 
then  the  provisions  for  such  entrance  and  exit  herewith  required  for  the 
latter  shall  be  entirely  distinct  from  and  in  addition  to  the  provisions 
for  exits  and  entrances,  corridors  and  stairways  required  for  the  struc- 
ture below. 

3.  If  any  structure  is  built  over  the  ceiling  or  roof  of  any  build- 
ing used  for  a theatre,  the  girders,  trusses  or  other  metal  members 
supporting  said  structure  shall  be  protected  against  fire  by  at  least 
3 inches  of  fireproof  material  with  special  provision  to  reinforce  or 
support  it. 

Idem. 

467.  Occupancy  Restricted l. 

1.  Ho  portion  of  any  building  erected  or  altered,  used  or  intended 
to  be  used  for  a theatre,  shall  be  occupied  or  used  for  any  business 
dealing  in  any  inflammable,  combustible  or  explosive  article  or  mate- 
rial. 

2.  The  before-mentioned  restrictions  relate  not  only  to  that  por- 
tion of  the  building  which  contains  the  auditorium  and  the  stage, 
but  apply  also  to  the  entire  structure  in  conjunction  therewith. 

Idem. 

468.  W orJcshops  and,  Property  Storerooms. 

1.  Ho  workshop*  storage  or  general  property  room  shall  be  al- 
lowed in  or  under  the  auditorium,  above  the  stage  or  under  the  same, 
or  in  any  of  the  fly  galleries ; but  such  rooms  or  shops  may  be  located 
in  the  rear  of,  or  at  the  side  of  the  stage,  and  in  such  cases  they  shall 
be  separated  from  the  stage  vertically  and  horizontally  by  a brick 
or  concrete  wall  not  less  than  12  inches  in  thicknes's  or  other  equally 
efficient  cut-off,  and  the  openings  leading  into  said  portion  shall  have 
self-closing  fire  doors  on  one  side  of  the  wall  and  automatic  fire  doors 
on  the  other  side  of  the  wall. 

2.  Ho  sleeping  accommodations  shall  be  allowed  in  any  part  of 
the  building  communicating  with  the  auditorium  or  stage. 

Idem. 

469.  Separation  of  Vestibule  from  Auditorium. — Interior  fire- 
proof walls  or  partitions  shall  separate  the  auditorium  from  the 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


151 


entrance  vestibule,  and1  from  any  communicating  room  or  rooms  over 
or  under  the  same,  also  from  any  lobbies,  corridors,  refreshment  or 
other  rooms  forming  part  of  the  theatre  ; the  openings  in  all  such 
walls  shall  be  protected1  by  approved  fire  doors  or  fire  windows.  The 
doors  shall  be  self-closing  and  the  windows  shall  be  stationary. 

Idem. 

470.  Floors. — All  floor  surfaces  shall  be  of  concrete  or  other 
incombustible  material,  and  no  wooden  boards  or  sleepers  shall  be 
used  as  a covering  for  floors,  seat  platforms,  aisles,  steps,  landings, 
passages  or  stairs. 

Idem. 


471.  No  combustible  doors  or  trim  shall  be  used  in  the  audi- 
torium, and  none  of  the  walls  or  ceiling  shall  be  covered  with  wooden 
sheathing,  wainscoting,  or  other  combustible  material,  but  this  shall 
not  preclude  the  construction  of  a wooden  sounding  board  over  or- 
chestra pit  when  the  same  extends  back  of  and  below  the  overhang 
of  the  stage,  provided  the  said  wooden  sheathing  be  properly  fire 
stopped  by  a 12-inch  brick  wall  back  of  same,  and  also  have  a proper 
fireproof  construction  directly  under  the  overhang  of  the  stage  ex- 
tending from  the  brick  wall  to  the  apron  of  stage. 

Idem. 

472.  Seals. 

1.  All  seats  in  the  auditorium  (except  those  contained  in  boxes 
accommodating  not  more  than  12  persons)  shall  be  firmly  secured  to 
the  floor,  and  shall  be  placed  not  less  than  32  inches  from  back  to 
back,  measured  horizontally.  If  benches  without  arms  between  seats 
are  used,  their  capacity  shall  be  figured  on  the  basis  of  one  person 
to  each  18  inches  in  width. 

2.  No  seat  in  any  gallery  shall  have  more  than  four  seats  inter- 
vening between  it  and  an  aisle,  or  more  than  ten  seats  in  a row  be- 
tween any  two  aisles. 

Idem. 

473.  Gallery  Platforms. — No  platforms  in  galleries  formed  to 
receive  the  seats  shall  be  more  than  21  inches  in  height  of  riser,  nor 
less  than  32  inches  in  width  of  platform.  No  such  platform  shall  be 
nearer  than  8 feet  from  the  ceiling. 

Idem. 


152 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


474.  Tunnels  or  Cross  Aisles. — There  shall  he  no  more  than  11 
feet  rise,  measured  vertically,  in  any  aisle  in  any  gallery  without 
direct  exit  by  tunnel  or  otherwise  to  a corridor  or  passage  with  a free 
opening  to  the  gallery  stairs  or  other  direct  discharge  to  the  street. 
At  such  elevation  of  11  feet  or  less,  an  intervening  or  cross  aisle  lead- 
ing directly  to  an  exit  may  be  substituted  for  the  tunnel.  No  such 
tunnel  or  cross  aisle  shall  be  less  than  4 feet  wide  in  the  clear. 

Idem. 

475.  Aisles , Width  of. — Aisles  shall  be  not  less  than  3 feet  wide 
at  the  beginning,  and  all  aisles  shall  be  increased  in  width  toward 
the  exits  3 inches  for  every  10  feet  of  length. 

Idem. 

476.  Steps  in  Aisles. — Steps  in  aisles  of  galleries  only  shall  be 
the  full  width  of  the  aisle.  No  risers  shall  be  more  than  7%  inches 
in  height,  and  no  tread  shall  be  less  than  10  inches  in  width,  and 
whenever  the  rise  of  seat  platforms  is  4 inches  or  less,  the  floor  of 
the  aisles  shall  be  made  as  a gradient.  Where  steps  are  placed  in 
passages  they  shall  be  grouped  together  and  shall  be  clearly  lighted. 
No  stool,  seat  or  other  obstruction  shall  be  placed  in  any  aisle,  nor 
shall  any  person  be  allowed  to  stand  in  such  aisles,  or  the  aisles  of 
any  building  or  structure  where  people  congregate. 

Idem. 

477.  Floors  at  Exits. — In  the  auditorium  there  shall  be  no  step 
within  4 feet  of  the  front  of  an  exit  or  entrance  doorway,  nor  within 
one  foot  of  the  side  thereof. 

Idem. 

478.  Passages. 

1.  The  width  of  passages  and  hallways  shall  be  computed  in  the 
same  manner  as  that  hereinafter  provided  for  stairways,  but  no  pass- 
age may  be  less  than  5 feet  in  width. 

2.  All  passages,  hallways,  and  stairways  leading  from  any  bal- 
cony or  gallery  in  any  direction  shall  permit  of  free  passage  to  an 
exit  without  returning. 

3.  The  aggregate  capacity  of  the  foyers,  lobbies,  hallways,  pas- 
ages,  and  rooms  for  the  use  of  the  audience,  not  including  aisle  space, 
shall  on  each  tier  be  sufficient  to  contain  the  entire  number  to  be 
accommodated  on  said  tier,  in  the  ratio  of  150  superficial  square 
feet  of  floor  for  every  hundred  persons. 

Idem. 


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153 


479.  Calculation  of  Exits. 

' 1.  The  combined  width  of  entrances  and  exits  for  each  tier,  like- 
wise their  stairways,  shall  provide  one  foot  of  width  for  each  20 
persons  to  he  accommodated  in  that  tier. 

2.  The  width  of  entrance  stairways  shall  he  at  least  50  per  cent, 
of  the  combined  width  of  the  entrance  and  exit  stairways,  and  the 
aggregate  width  of  emergency  exit  doorways  opening  from  each  gal- 
lery shall  be  60  per  cent,  more  than  the  stairways  to  which  they  lead. 

Idem. 

480.  Entrances. 

1.  A common  place  of  entrance  may  serve  for  the  orchestra  floor 
of  the  auditorium  and  the  first  gallery,  'provided  such  entrance  and 
the  passages  leading  thereto  are  of  the  width  required  for  the  aggre- 
gate capacity  of  these  two  tiers. 

2.  Separate  places  of  entrance  shall  be  provided  for  each  gallery 
above  the  first. 

3.  Where  the  number  accommodated  in  a gallery  exceeds  two 
hundred,  there  shall  be  at  least  two  separate  and  distinct  entrances. 

Idem. 

481.  Entrances  on  Street  Fronts. 

1.  Every  building  used  for  the  purposes  designated  in  Section 
461  shall  have  at  least  the  front  or  one  side  wall  bordering  on  a 
street,  and  not  less  than  one-half  of  the  openings  required  for  en- 
trance of  the  audience  to  the  auditorium  shall  be  provided  in  such 
wall  or  walls. 

2.  Where  any  entrance  does  not  open  directly  on  a street,  corri- 
dor, or  passage  connecting  with  the  street,  it  shall  be  constructed 
of  continuous  walls  of  brick  or  other  fireproof  material  equally  effi- 
cient. The  roof  construction  of  these  corridors  shall  be  fireproof 
and  of  strength  sufficient  to  safely  sustain  a live  load  of  150  pounds 
per  square  foot  of  area.  The  height  of  such  corridors  shall  be  not  less 
than  10  feet.  M)  doors  or  windows  shall  be  permitted  in  the  side 
walls  or  roof. 

Idem. 

482.  Emergency  Exits. — From  the  auditorium  at  least  two 
emergency  exits  remote  from  each  other  leading  into  open  courts  or 
streets  shall  be  provided  in  each  side  wall  of  ,the  auditorium  on  all 
tiers.  Each  exit  shall  be  provided  with  approved  fire  doors. 

Idem. 


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NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


* 

483.  Entrance  and  Exit  Doorways. 

1.  The  minimum  width  of  doorways  shall  be  5 feet  in  the  clear, 
except  emergency  exit  doorways,  which  may  be  44  inches. 

2.  All  entrances  and  exit  doors  shall  open  outward,  and  be  hung 
in  such  manner  as  not  to  obstruct  any  part  of  the  required  width  of 
a doorway,  passage  or  stairway.  The  fastenings  of  these  doors  shall 
be  of  an  automatic  handle  bar  pattern,  such  as  can  readily  be  opened 
from  the  inside  at  all  times  without  the  use  of  keys  or  any  special 
knowledge  or  effort.  The  use  of  draw  bolts  is  prohibited.  All  such 
doorways  shall  be  entirely  unobstructed. 

Idem. 

484.  Marking  Exits. 

1.  Every  entrance  and  exit  doorway  opening  from  the  auditorium 
shall  have  the  metal  box  with  green  letters  over  the  same  on  the  audi- 
torium side,  the  word  “Exit”  inscribed  in  legible  letters  not  less  than 
6 inches  high,  as  hereinbefore  stated. 

2.  No  mirrors  shall  be  so  placed  as  to  give  the  appearance  of 
doorway,  exit,  or  passage.  There  shall  be  no  false  doors  or  windows. 

Idem. 

485.  Diagrams  of  Exits. — There  shall  be  legibly  printed  on  the 
program  of  each  performance  a separate  diagram  or  plan  of  every 
tier.  Each  such  diagram  shall  occupy  a space  not  less  than  15  square 
inches  and  shall  show  distinctly  the  entrances  and  exits  from  each 
tier  and  where  they  lead. 

Idem. 

486.  Stair  Landings. — When  stairs  turn  at  an  angle  or  return 
directly  on  themselves1,  a landing,  without  steps,  of  the  full  width  of 
both  flights,  shall  be  provided.  The  outer  line  of  landings  shall  be 
curved  to  a radius  of  not  less  than  2 feet;  this  provision,  however, 
shall  not  apply  to  emergency  exit  stairs  on  outside  of  buildings.  When 
two  side  stairways  connect  with  one  main  stairway,  the  width  of  the 
main  stairway  shall  be  at  least  equal  to  the  aggregate  width  of  the 
side  stairways.  No  stairway  shall  ascend  to  a greater  height  than  10 
feet  without  a level  landing,  and  the  length  and  width  of  such  land- 
ing shall  be  not  less  than  the  width  of  the  stairs ; no  run  of  stairs 
shall  consist  of  less  than  six  risers  between  platforms. 

Idem. 

487.  Stair  Rails. — All  stairways  shall  have  on  both  sides  strong 
hand  rails.  Where  stairways  are  built  between  walls,  rails  shall  be 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


155 


firmly  secured  to  the  walls  about  3 inches  distant  therefrom.  All 
rails  shall  he  about  3 feet  above  the  treads.  This  provision  shall  also 
apply  to  all  steps  in  side  aisles  of  galleries.  The  width  of  all  stairs 
shall  be  measured  between  hand  rails.  All  stairways  and  landings 
between  stories,  when  7 feet  and  over  in  width,  shall  be  provided 
with  a center  hand  rail  of  metal,  not  less  than  2 inches  in  diameter, 
placed  at  a height  of  about  3 feet  above  the  treads  and  landings. 
Such  rails  shall  be  supported  on  metal  standards  securely  bolted  to 
the  treads  or  risers  of  the  stairs.  At  the  head  of  the  stairway  at  each 
story,  a newel  post  shall  be  provided  at  least  6 feet  in  height,  to  which 
the  rail  shall  be  secured. 

. Idem. 

488.  Entrance  Stairways. 

1.  No  entrance  stairway  to  any  tier  in  the  auditorium  shall  be 
less  than  5 feet  wide. 

2.  Entrance  stairways  and  passages  for  the  dressing  rooms  shall 
be  at  least  36  inches  wide  and  extend  independently  to  the  street  or 
court.  No  stairs  in  the  stage  section  shall  be  less  than  30  inches  wide. 

3.  Nf>  door  shall  open  immediately  upon  a flight  of  stairs,  but 
a landing  at  least  the  width  of  the  door  shall  be  provided  between 
such  stairs  and  such  door. 

Idem. 

489.  Stairway  Enclosures. — All  entrance  stairways  for  the  use 
of  the  audience  (excepting  those  leading  to  the  first  gallery  only, 
which  may  be  open  on  one  side)’  shall  be  enclosed  with  walls  of  brick 
or  other  fireproof  materials  in  the  stories  through  which  they  pass. 
There  shall  be  no  communication  from  any  portion  of  the  building 
'above  the  street  or  court  grade  to  any  of  said  stairwTay  enclosures 
except  from  the  tier  for  which  the  stairway  is  exclusively  intended. 
No  stairway  from  a gallery  shall  communicate  with  the  basement  or 
cellar. 

Idem. 

490.  Emergency  Exit  Stairways  and  Balconies. — Emergency 
exit  stairways  from  each  gallery  shall  be  placed  in  smoke-proof  towers, 
or  an  approved  form  of  open  air  stairway  may  be  used.  The  mini- 
mum width  of  emergency  exit  stairways  shall  be  4 feet,  except  that 
their  width  may  be  reduced  15  per  cent,  if  located  in  a smoke-proof 
tower  having  no  openings  except  to  an  outside  balcony  and  to  court 
grade.  The  stairways  for  the  emergency  exists  from  each  tier  shall 


156 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


extend  to  the  court  or  street  grade  independently  of  the  stairways  or 
exits  from  other  tiers.  Outside  balconies  shall  be  at  least  as  wide 
as  the  stairways  which  they  serve,  but  in  no  case  less  than  6 feet. 
No  riser  shall  be  nearer  than  one  foot  to  the  door  opening. 

Idem. 

491.  Construction  of  Balconies  and  Stairways  for  Emergency 
Exits. — All  emergency  exit  balconies  and  stairways  shall  be  con- 
structed of  steel  or  of  other  forms  of  incombustible  construction  ap- 
proved by  the  Supervisor.  Risers,  treads,  platforms  and  balconies 
must  be  solid,  without  slats,  and  the  construction  shall  be  of  strength 
sufficient  to  sustain  safely  a live  load  of  100  pounds  per  square  foot 
with  a safety  factor  of  4.  Exterior  stairways  and  balconies  of  steel 
construction  shall  be  designed  in  conformity  with  the  requirements 
of  paragraph  2,  Section  301.  Sheet  metal  or  other  suitable  solid 
material  shall  be  provided  to  a height  of  not  less  than  4 feet  on  the 
outer  side  of  all  such  open  air  stairways,  balconies  and  platforms,  and 
they  shall  be  covered  with  a metal,  hood  or  awning  constructed  in  a 
manner  approved  by  the  Supervisor.  There  shall  be  no  openings 
in  any  theatre  wall  between  the  outside  balconies  or  stairways  and 
their  covers,  except  the  required  exits  from  the  tier  served  by  said 
stairways  and  balconies.  No  person  of  the  audience  shall  be  obliged 
to  pass  alongside  of  more  than  one  exit  doorway  after  reaching  an 
outside  balcony  to  get  to  the  ground.  All  exit  stairways  and  bal- 
conies shall  be  kept  free  of  obstructions  of  every  kind,  including  snow 
and  ice. 

Idem. 

492.  Treads  and  Risers. — All  stairs  shall  have  treads  of  uniform 
width,  and  risers  of  uniform  height  in  each  flight.  The  risers  shall 
not  exceed  I inches  in  height,  nor  shall  the  treads,  exclusive  of  nos- 
ing, be  less  than  10  inches  wide.  No  circular  stairs  shall  be  per- 
mitted, and  no  winders  shall  be  introduced  in  any  stairs  which  may 
be  used  for  exit  purposes. 

Idem. 

493.  Exits  from  Stage  Section. — At  least  two  independent  ex- 
terior exits  with  direct  outlet  at  court  or  street  grade  shall  be  pro- 
vided from  the  stage  level  for  the  service  of  the  stage  and  floors  be- 
low same.  These  exits  shall  be  at  opposite  sides  of  the  stage  and  may 
serve  also  as  entrances.  Each  tier  of  dressing  rooms  shall  have  an 
independent  emergency  exit  leading  directly  to  an  open  air  stairway, 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


157 


or  to  a court  or  street.  No  ladder  fire  escapes  shall  be  permitted. 
The  fly  galleries  shall  he  provided  with  adequate  means  of  exit.  All 
exits  from  the  stage  section  shall  he  independent  of  the  exits  for  the 
audience  above  the  court  or  street  grade.  Stairways,  if  any,  lead- 
ing down  from  stage  level  shall  be  enclosed  and  protected  by  fire- 
proof doors. 

Idem. 

494.  Emergency  Courts. — There  shall  be  reserved  for  emergency 
exit  purposes  an  open  court  or  space  on  the  side  or  sides  of  the  build- 
ings as  follows: 

(a)  In  the  case  of  a plot  with  streets  on  front,  rear,  and  both 
sides,  or  in  the  case  of  a double  corner  plot  where  both  sides  of 
the  theatre  border  on  streets,  no  courts  will  be  required.  On  a 
double  corner,  single  corner,  or  inside  plot  when  one  side  only  of  the 
building  borders  on  a street,  one  court  will  be  required  located  on  the 
opposite  side.  On  an  inside  plot  where  only  the  building  front  bor- 
ders on  the  street,  courts  shall  be  provided  on  both  sides. 

(b)  In  buildings  used  for  motion  picture  shows  and  having 
no  stage,  the  exits  and  courts  above  required  may  be  replaced  by 
equivalent  exits  and  courts  at  the  rear  if  consistent  with  the  adequate 
distribution  of  the  entire  entrance  and  exit  facilities. 

Idem. 

495.  Court  Width. — The  minimum  width  .of  open  courts  shall 
be  8 feet  when  the  total  capacity  is  750  or  less;  10  feet  when  the 
capacity  is  between  750  and  1,000  ; and  when  the  capacity  exceeds 
1,000  people  the  width  of  the  courts  shall  be  increased  one  foot  for 
each  additional  500  people  or  fraction  thereof  in  excess  of  1,000. 

Idem. 

496.  Court  Length — Said  open  court  or  courts  shall  extend  at 
least  from  the  line  of  the  proscenium  wall  the  length  of  the  audito- 
rium to  the  wall  separating  the  same  from  the  entrance  lobby  or 
vestibule.  This  entire  court  area  shall  be  open  to  the  sky,  except 
that  emergency  exit  stairways  and  smoke-proof  towers  may  occupy 
part  of  the  court  space  if  the  required  width  of  exit  passageways  is 
not  obstructed. 

Idem. 

497.  Court  Corridors. — Where  said  emergency  courts  do  not 
open  directly  on  a street,  a separate  and  distinct  corridor  or  passage 


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NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


shall  continue  directly  to  the  street,  around  the  building  or  through 
such  structure  as  may  be  or  may  have  been  built  on  the  street,  but 
no  such  passageway  shall  pass  under  any  portion  of  the  auditorium 
or  stage.  Said  corridors  or  passages  shall  be  constructed  fireproof 
all  the  way  to  the  street  in  same  manner  as  provided  for  the  con- 
struction of  corridors  for  entrances  in  Section  377,  paragraph  3.  The 
corridor  or  passage  leading  from  the  court  to  the  street  shall  be  at 
least  as  wide  as  the  court,  and  there  shall  be  no  projections  into  the 
passage.  The  outer  openings  may  be  provided  with  doors  or  gates 
opening  outward.  During  the  performance  these  doors  or  gates  shall 
be  kept  open;  at  other  times  they  may  be  closed  and  fastened  by 
movable  bolts. 

Idem. 

498.  Entrances  in  Courts. — If  entrances  open  on  emergency 
courts  or  corridors  the  said  courts  or  corridors  shall  be  increased  in 
width  an  amount  at  least  equal  to  the  width  of  the  entrances  which 
they  serve. 

Idem. 

499.  Courts  and  Corridors  Kept  Clean. — The  courts  and  corri- 
dors or  passages  shall  not  be  used  for  storage  purposes,  nor  for  any 
purpose  whatsoever  except  for  exit  and  entrance,  and  must  be  kept 
free  and  clear  during  performances. 

Idem. 

500.  Gradients. — All  courts  and  corridors  at  points  of  street 
entrance  or  exit  shall  be  flush  with  sidewalk.  To  overcome  any  dif- 
ference of  level  in  and  between  courts,  corridors,  lobbies,  passages 
and  aisles  on  the  ground  floor,  gradients  shall  be  employed  of  not 
over  one  foot  in  10  feet,  except  that  runs  of  not  more  than  10  feet 
in  length  may  be  one  in  eight. 

Idem. 

501.  Proscenium  Wall. — A fire  wall  built  of  brick  or  concrete 
not  less  than  12  inches  thick  in  any  portion  shall  separate  the  audito- 
rium from  the  stage  and  shall  extend  at  least  4 feet  above  the  stage 
roof,  or  the  auditorium  roof  if  the  latter  be  higher.  Any  windows 
in  the  structure  above  the  auditorium  which  face  ovei*  roof  of  stage 
section  when  within  100  feet  of  the  stage  roof  must  be  protected  with 
fire  shutters  or  fire  windows.  Above  the  proscenium  opening  there 
shall  be  a girder  or  other  support  of  sufficient  strength  to  safely  carry 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


159 


the  load.  If  a girder  be  used  it  shall  he  protected  against  fire  by  at 
least  4 inches  of  fireproof  material  with  special  provision  to  rein- 
force or  support  it. 

Idem. 

502.  Proscenium  Curtain. 

1.  The  proscenium  opening  shall  be  provided  with  a rigid  fire- 
proof curtain,  built  in  conformity  with  the  following  specifications 
or  their  equivalent  in  efficiency  when  approved  by  the  Supervisor. 

2.  The  curtain  shall  have  a rigid,  rivet- jointed,  steel  framework. 
The  front  or  audience  side  of  the  frame  shall  be  covered  with  sheet 
steel  of  a thickness  not  less  than  No.  20  U.  S.  gauge.  The  back 
shall  be  covered  with  vitrified  cellular  asbestos  boards  at  least  1 inch 
thick,  or  other  material  equally  fire  resisting.  Both  coverings  shall 
be  securely  attached  to  the  framework  and  the  joint  properly  sealed. 
The  curtain  shall  be  designed  to  resist  a wind  pressure  of  10  pounds 
per  square  foot  of  surface  without  flexure  sufficient  to  interfere  with 
its  closing. 

3.  The  thickness  of  the  curtain  shall  be  not  less  than  3 inches 
where  the  width  of  the  proscenium  wall  opening  is  30  feet  or  less; 
curtains  for  larger  openings  shall  increase  in  thickness  in  proportion 
to  the  increase  in  width  of  opening  they  cover. 

4.  An  asbestos  roll  of  a diameter  not  less  than  one-half  the  thick- 
ness of  the^ curtain  shall  be  securely  attached  to  the  bottom  of  the 
curtain  to  form  a smoke  seal  between  the  curtain  and  the  stage  floor. 

5.  The  curtain  shall  overlap  the  proscenium  wall  opening  at  least 
12  inches  at  each  side  of  the  opening  and  not  less  than  2 feet  at  the 
top. 

6.  The  guide  members  at  the  sides  shall  be  rolled  steel  shapes, 
none  of  which  shall  be  less  than  %-inch  thick,  and  shall  be  of  such 
character  as  to  form  a continuous  smoke  seal  from  top  to  bottom, 
with  a clearance  of  not  over  %-inch.  The  guides  shall  be  installed 
in  such  manner  that  in  case  of  fire  on  the  stage  the  pressure  of  heated 
gases  against  the  curtain  will  act  to  close  the  guide  joints  tightly. 
Provision  shall  be  made  to  prevent  the  curtain  from  getting  out  of 
the  guiding  channel  into  which  it  shall  project  at  least  2 inches.  The 
proscenium  wall  shall  have  an  off-set  at  each  side  of  the  opening,  so 
located  and  of  such  thickness  and  height  as  to  be  suitable  for  the 
attachment  of  the  curtain  guides.  At  least  1 inch  shall  be  allowed 
at  each  edge  of  curtain  to  provide  for  lateral  expansion. 


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NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Opportunity  for  expansion  of  the  unprotected  structural  frame- 
work of  the  curtain  and  guides  shall  be  furnished  by  slotting  the  holes 
of  the  connecting  holts. 

7.  The  wall  over  the  proscenium  opening  shall  be  smooth  and 
plumb  to  approximately  the  top  of  the  curtain  when  it  is  down,  and 
shall  then  offset  at  least  4 inches  for  the  rest  of  its  height,  thus  leav- 
ing a bench  along  the  line  of  the  top  of  the  curtain  between  which  a 
smoke  seal  shall  he  formed.  Such  a seal  may  conveniently  he  pro- 
vided by  arranging  for  the  edge  of  a rolled  steel  shape  attached  to  the 
curtain  to  dip  into  a trough  of  sand  resting  on  the  bench. 

8.  No  part  of  a curtain  or  any  of  the  curtain  guides-  shall  he 
supported  hy,  or  fastened  to,  any  combustible  material. 

9.  The  hoisting  apparatus  for  the  curtain  shall  he  designed  with 
a factor  of  safety  of  8. 

10.  The  points  for  curtain  suspension  shall  always  he  an  even 
number,  but  never  less  than  four.  Two  of  the  suspension  points  shall 
be  located  at  the  extreme  ends  of  the  curtain,  and  the  others  may  he 
placed  at  such  points  as  best  suit  the  design,  hut  in  no  case  shall 
the  distance  between  any  two  points  of  support  exceed  10  feet. 

11.  Half  of  the  cables  attached  to  these  points  shall  lead  to  one 
set  of  counterweights  and  half  to  another.  The  curtain  shall  be 
operated  by  hydraulic  or  other  mechanism1  approved  by  the  Supervisor. 
If  hydraulic  mechanism  is  used,  the  water  may  be  taken  from  either 
the  house  tank  or  sprinkler  tank  supply.  If  from  the  latter,  the 
supply  pipe  for  curtain  mechanism  shall  be  so  located  in  the  tank 
that  it  cannot  reduce  the  quantity  of  water  below  the  amount  neces- 
sary to  fulfill  the  sprinkler  requirements. 

12.  The  device  for  controlling  the  curtain  shall  be  simple  in  de- 
sign, and  capable  of  convenient  operation  from  both  sides  of  the 
stage  and  from  the  tie  galleries. 

13.  The  drop  speed  of  the  curtain  shall  be  uniform  and  not  less 
than  1 foot  per  second,  but  when  the  curtain  is  about  2%  feet  from 
the  stage  it  shall  automatically  slow  down  so  as  to  settle  on  the  stage 
without  shock.  In  addition  to  the  regular  operating  mechanism,  there 
shall  be  an  emergency  device  which  will  cut  off  the  power  and  allow 
the  curtain  to  drop  by  gravity.  This  device  shall  be  so  arranged  that 
it  can  be  easily  operated  by  hand  from  each  side  of  the  stage,  under 
the  stage,  and  in  the  tie  galleries.  The  device  shall  also  be  so  de- 
signed that  its  operation  will  be  controlled  by  fusible  links  located 
at  each  of  the  above  named  points. 


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161 


14.  The  audience  side  of  the  curtain  may  be  decorated  with  a 
paint  in  which  no  oil  is  used.  No  combustible  material  shall  be  ap- 
plied or  attached  to  the  curtain. 

15.  Drawings  for  every  such  curtain  shall  be  submitted  to  the 
Supervisor,  and  be  approved  by  him  before  it  is  erected. 

Idem. 

503.  Counterweights. — Where  counterweights  are  used,  they  shall 
be  suspended  at  the  extreme  side  or  other  walls  of  the  stage  section, 
and  be  enclosed  by  guards. 

Idem. 

504.  Other  Openings  in  Proscenium  Wall. — Openings  between 
the  stage  and  auditorium  other  than  the  proscenium  opening  shall  not 
exceed  four  in  number ; two  at  the  approximate  stage  level  and  two 
in  the  musicians’  pit;  the  size  of  any  such  opening  shall  not  exceed 
21  square  feet.  The  openings  at  stage  level  shall  have  an  automatic 
fire  door  on  one  side  of  the  wall  and  self-closing  fire  door  on  the  other 
side  of  the  wall;  openings,  if  any,  below  the  stage  shall  have  a self- 
closing  fire  door;  all  of  said  doors  shall  be  hung  so  as  to  be  opened 
from  either  side  of  the  wall  at  all  times. 

Idem. 

505.  Overhang  of  Stage. — All  that  portion  of  the  stage  extend- 
ing from  the  stage  inside  of  the  curtain  and  from  the  wall  separating 
the  space  under  the  stage  from  the  auditorium,  to  the  outer  edge 
of  the  apron  shall  be  fireproof.  A wood  finish  floor  without  air  space 
may  be  used  on  the  stage  in  front  of  the  curtain. 

Idem. 

506.  Opening  in  Exterior  Walls. — All  openings  in  exterior  walls 
of  stage  section  shall  be  protected  by  approved  fire  doors,  shutter,  or 
windows. 

Idem. 

507.  Vestibules  for  Stage  Entrances. — All  entrances  to  the  stage 
from  streets,  alleys,  or  open  courts  shall  be  vestibuled  to  protect  the 
stage  from  drafts  of  air. 

Idem. 

508.  Fireproof  Stage  Construction. — All  that  portion  of  the 
stage  which  is  not  movable  (excepting  that  part  usually  embraced 
between  the  proscenium  jambs  and  from  proscenium  to  rear  wall) 
shall  be  of  fireproof  construction  and  designed  to  safely  sustain  a 


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live  load  of  not  less  than  100  pounds  per  square  foot.  The  non- 
fireproof  portion  of  stage  floor  shall  he  of  heavy  timbers  or  steel  beam 
construction  with  flooring  not  less  than  1%-inch  finish  thickness. 

Idem. 

• 509.  Fly  and  Tie  Galleries. — The  fly  galleries  and  the  tie  gal- 
leries shall  be  of  fireproof  construction  designed  to  safely  sustain  a 
live  load  of  90  pounds  per  square  foot.  No  wooden,  boards  or  sleepers 
shall  be  used  as  a covering  over  these  floors. 

Idem. 

510.  Gridiron. — The  gridiron  or  rigging  loft  shall  have  a lattice 
metal  floor  capable  of  sustaining  a live  load  of  75  pounds  per  square 
foot  and  be  readily  accessible  by  metal  stairs  or  ladder. 

Idem. 

511.  Scenery. — All  stage  scenery,  curtains,  and  decorations  made 
of  combustile  material,  and  all  woodwork  on  or  about  the  stage,  shall 
be  painted  or  saturated  with  some  non-combustible  material,  or  other- 
wise rendered  safe  against  fire. 

Idem. 

512.  Ventilation  in  Stage  Section. 

1.  There  shall  be  one  or  more  ventilators,  constructed  of  metal 
or  other  incombustible  material,  near  the  center  and  above  the  highest 
part  of  the  stage  of  every  theatre,  raised  above  the  stage  roof,  and 
of  a combined  sectional  area  equal  to  at  least  10  per  cent,  of  the  floor 
area  within  the  stage  walls.  The  openings  in  such  ventilators  shall 
have  an  aggregate  sectional  area  at  least  equal  to  that  required  for  the 
ventilators.  Detailed  drawings  showing  the  construction  and  opera- 
tion of  the  ventilators  must  be  approved  by  the  Supervisor  before  in- 
stallation is  begun.  The  entire  equipment  shall  conform  to  the  fol- 
lowing requirements  or  their  equivalent. 

2.  The  construction  of  the  cover  and  its  operating  mechanism 
shall  be  massive,  and  the  cover  shall  open  by  force  of  gravity  sufficient 
to  effectively  overcome  the  effects  of  neglect,  rust,  dirt,  frost,  snow, 
or  expansion  by  heat,  or  warping  of  the  framework. 

3.  Glass,  if  used  in  ventilators,  must  be  protected  against  falling 
on  the  stage.  A wire  screen  if  used  under  the  glass  must  be  so  placed 
that  if  clogged  it  cannot  reduce  the  required  vent  area  or  interfere 
with  the  operating  mechanism,  or  obstruct  the  distribution  of  water 
from  the  automatic  sprinklers. 


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163 


4.  The  cover  shall  he  arranged  to  open  instantly  after  the  out- 
break of  fire  by  the  use  of  approved  automatic  fusible  links  of  the 
thinnest  metal  practicable ; manual  control  also  must  be  provided  by 
a cord  run  down  to  the  stage  at  a point  designated  by  the  Supervisor. 

5.  The  link  and  cord  must  hold  the  cover  closed  against  a force 
of  at  leapt  30  pounds  excess  counterweight  tending  to  open  the  cover. 
Fusible  links  shall  be  placed  in  the  ventilator  above  the  roof  line  and 
in  at  least  two  other  points  in  each  controlling  cord.  No  automatic 
sprinkler  heads  shall  be  placed  in  the  ventilator  space  above  the  fusible 
links.  While  theatre  is  in  use  each  ventilator  cover  shall  be  operated 
daily  by  one  of  the  cords. 

Idem. 

513.  Skylights.- — If  any  skylight  is  placed  in  a roof,  it  shall  be 
installed  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  Section  349. 

Idem. 

514.  Dressing  Booms. 

1.  Actors  dressing  rooms  shall  not  be  placed  on  or  under  the 
stage,  or  in  or  under  the  auditorium.  They  shall  be  in  a separate 
section  provided  for  that  purpose.  No  dressing  room  ceiling  shall  be 
less  than  4 feet,  6 inches  above  the  level  of  street  or  court  adjoining. 

2.  The  walls  separating  the  section  containing  the  dressing  rooms 
from  the  stage  or  auditorium,  shall  be  of  brick  or  concrete  not  less 
than  8 inches  in  thickness  and  each  opening  therein  shall  be  protected 
with  a self-closing  fire  door.  The  partitions  dividing  the  dressing 
rooms,  together  with  the  partitions  of  every  passageway  from  the 
same  to  the  stage  shall  be  constructed  of  approved  fireproof  mate- 
rial not  less  than  4 inches  in  thickness.  All  doorways  in  any  of  said 
partitions  shall  be  protected  by  self-closing  fire  doors.  All  dressing 
rooms  shall  be  ventilated  by  fire  windows  to  a street  or  to  a court 
not  less  than  24  square  feet  in  area. 

3.  All  shelving  and  cupboards  in  every  dressing  room,  property 
room  or  other  storage  rooms,  shall  be  of  incombustible  material. 

Idem. 

515.  Apparatus. 

1.  Steam  boilers  may  be  located  outside  of  the  buildings  either 
under  the  sidewalk  or  in  an  extension,  or  within  any  portion  of  the 
building,  provided  that  same  are  placed  in  a fireproof  room  one  side 
of  which  opens  on  an  open  court  or  public  thoroughfare,  the  space 


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allotted  to  the  same  shall  be  enclosed  by  walls  of  brick  or  concrete  at 
least  12  inches  thick  on'  all  sides,  and  the  ceiling  of  such  space  shall 
be  constructed  of  fireproof  materials.  Each  doorway  in  said  walls 
connecting  with  the  building  shall  have  an  automatic  fire  door. 

2.  No  floor  register  for  heating,  ventilating  or  other  purposes 
shall  be  permitted  in  aisles,  corridors  or  passageways. 

3.  All  blowers1  used  to  circulate  air  through  heating  or  ventilating 
pipes  with  openings  to  the  auditorium  shall  be  provided  with  a device 
to  stop  the  blower  automatically  in  case  of  fire.  The  device  for  this 
purpose  shall  he  located  near  the  blower,  both  inside  and  outside  the 
pipe  leading  to  openings  in  the  auditorium. 

4.  No  coil,  radiator  or  pipe  shall  he  placed  so  as  to  obstruct  any 
aisle  or  passageway.  Any  exposed  radiator  or  coil  shall  be  guarded. 

Idem. 

516.  Lighting. 

1.  The  stage  section  and  every  portion  of  the  building  devoted 
to  the  uses  or  accommodation  of  the  public,  also  all  passages  leading 
to  streets,  including  the  open  courts  and  corridors,  shall  be  satisfac- 
torily lighted  during  every  performance,  and  until  the  entire  audi- 
ence has  left  the  premises. 

2.  Only  electric  light  shall  be  used  in  the  auditorium  and  stage 
section,  except  that  gas  fixtures  having  not  larger  than  “1  foot” 
burners  may  he  used  in  dressing  rooms.  These  shall  have  soldered 
to  the  fixtures  strong  wire  guards  or  screens  not  less  than  10  inches 
in  diameter,  so  constructed  that  any  material  in  contact  therewith 
shall  he  out  of  reach  of  the  flames. 

3.  Where  electric  current  from  two  separate  street  mains  are 
available,  two  separate  and  distinct  services  must  be  installed  ; one 
service  to  be  of  sufficient  capacity  to  supply  current  for  the  entire 
equipment  of  the  theatre,  while  the  other  service  must  be  at  least 
sufficient  to  supply  current  for  all  emergency  lights,  including  the 
exit  lights  or  signs,  and  all  lights  in  outside  courts,  lobbies,  stairways, 
corridors,  and  other  portions  of  the  theatre  which  are  normally  kept 
lighted  during  the  performance.  Where  only  one  supply  from  a 
street  main  is  available  the  connection  used  exclusively  for  emergency 
lights  must  be  taken  from  a point  on  the  street  side  of  the  main  ser- 
vice fuses.  When  the  source  of  supply  is  an  isolated  plant  on  the 
same  premises,  an  auxiliary  service  at  least  sufficient  to  supply  all 
emergency  lights  shall  be  connected  with  some  outside  source,  or  a 


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165 


suitable  storage  battery  witbin  the  premises  may  be  considered  the 
equivalent  of  such  service.  Where  two  sources  of  electric  light  are  not 
available,  an  emergency  system  of  gas  lighting  shall  be  installed  and 
kept  in  working  order. 

4.  At  least  one  lawful  EXIT  light  shall  be  placed  over  each  exit 
and  entrance  opening  from  the  auditorium  and  stage  section. 

5.  All  emergency  lights  shall  be  controlled  by  a special  switch 
located  in  the  lobby  and  accessible  only  to  authorized  persons. 

6.  The  stage  switchboard  shall  have  a metal  hood  over  the  top, 
running  the  full  length  of  the  board  and  fully  protecting  same  from 
anything  falling  from  above. 

Idem. 

517.  Automatic  Sprinkler  Equipment. 

1.  A standard  wet-pipe  system  of  approved  automatic  sprinklers 
shall  be  installed  throughout  the  theatre,  except  in  the  auditorium, 
foyers  and  lobbies.  Sprinklers  shall  not  be  permitted  over  dynamos 
and  switchboards  or  above  the  fusible  links  immediately  under  the 
automatic  ventilators  over  stage. 

2.  Sprinkler  equipments  shall  be  installed  in  accordance  with 
the  requirements  of  Section  460. 

Idem. 

518.  Standpipes. 

1.  Standpipes  conforming  to  the  requirements  in  Section  459 
shall  be  provided  with  hose  connections  located  as  follows:  One  on 
each  side  of  the  stage  on  each  tier,  one  readily  accessible  from  the 
property  room,  the  carpenter  shop,  scenery  storage  rooms,  lobbies 
and  elsewhere  as  may  be  required  by  the  Supervisor. 

2.  A sufficient  quantity  of  approved  linen  hose,  1%  inches  in 
diameter,  in  50-foot  lengths  or  enough  to  cover  floor  area,  shall  be 
kept  attached  to  each  hose  connection;  25-foot  lengths  will  be  per- 
mitted in  fly  galleries. 

Idem. 

519.  Miscellaneous  Fire  Appliances. 

1.  There  shall  be  on  each  side  of  the  stage  two  axes,  one  20-foot, 
one  15-foot,  and  one  10-foot  hook,  as  designated  by  the  Eire  Depart- 
ment On  each  side  of  the  stage,  under  the  stage,  on  each  fly  gallery, 
also  in  property  and  other  store  rooms,  and  in  each  workshop,  there 
shall  be  kept  in  readiness  for  immediate  use  one  approved  2%  gallon 


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NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


hand  chemical  fire  extinguisher  and  one  40-gallon  cask  filled  with 
water,  and  six  fire  pails ; said  casks  and  buckets  shall  be  painted  red 
and  lettered  “For  Fire  Purposes  Only.”  There  shall  also  be  pro- 
vided at  least  three  approved  2%-gallon  hand  chemical  fire  extin- 
guishers for  each  tier  of  the  auditorium. 

2.  All  apparatus  for  the  extinguishment  of  fire  shall  be  installed 
in  accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  Fire  Department  and  he  kept  at 
all  times  in  condition  satisfactory  to  and  under  control  of  the  Fire 
Department. 

Idem. 


PART  XXXYI. 


Construction  of  Moving  Picture  Theatres. 

520.  Requirements  for  Exhibition  Room. 

1.  Xo  motion  picture  machine  shall  be  installed,  maintained  or 
operated  in  any  building  that  does  not  abut  directly  upon  a street; 
nor  shall  any  such  machine  he  installed,  maintained  or  operated  in 
connection  with  any  exhibition  room  contained  in  a building  occu- 
pied as  a hotel,  tenement  house,  or  lodging  house ; nor  in  factories  or 
workshops,  except  where  the  exhibition  room  and  motion  picture 
machine  are  separated  from  the  rest  of  the  building  by  unpierced 
fireproof  walls  and  floors ; in  no  case  shall  the  main  floor  of  such  ex- 
hibition room  he  more  than  4 feet  abdve  or  below  the  adjoining  grade 
level.  All  such  floors,  including  gallery  floors  to  be  preferably  of 
reinforced  concrete  or  other  approved  fireproof  construction,  or  may 
be  of  mill  construction  as  herein  provided,  and  have  2-ply  of  14  lb. 
asbestos  paper  between  the  floors,  and  be  fireproofed  on  under  side 
with  metal  lath  or  ^-inch  plaster  board  and  not  less  than  % inch  of 
cement  plaster. 

To  overcome  any  difference  of  level  on  the  ground  floor  gradients 
shall  he  employed  of  not  over  one  foot  in  10  feet;  no  steps  shall  he 
permitted.  Exit  doors  shall  he  at  the  same  level  as  the  sidewalk. 

2.  If  the  walls  of  the  auditorium  contain  wooden  studs,  they 
shall  be  protected  with  metal  lath  and  not  less  than  % inch  of  cement 
or  cement-tempered  plaster,  or  be  covered  with  ^4-inch  plaster  hoards 
and  plastered  with  % inch  of  plaster,  or  covered  with  metal.  The 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


167 


joints  shall  be  properly  filled  with  mortar.  The  ceilings  of  all  snch 
auditoriums  having  wooden  construction,  And  the  ceilings  of  any 
basement  or  cellar  which  may  exist  under  such  auditoriums,  shall 
be  protected  with  metal  lath  and  cement  plaster  or  with  %-inch 
plaster  board  and  covered  with  plaster  or  metal  as  above  specified  for 
protection  of  walls.  All  metal  lath  used  in  such  construction  shall 
be  of  quality  specified  in  Section  377. 

3.  All  motion  picture  exhibition  rooms  shall  be  provided  with 
at  least  four  separate  exits,  two  of  which  shall  be  in  the  front  and  the 
other  two  in  the  rear  or  side  near  the  rear,  all  leading  to  alley,  or  open 
court  or  passageway.  No  exits  shall  be  less  than  5 feet  in  width,  and 
there  shall  be  a main  exit  not  less  than  10  feet  in  total  width. 

4.  If  an  unobstructed  exit  to  a street  or  alley  or  unobstructed 
open  court  cannot  be  provided  at  the  rear  of  such  buildings  as  herein 
specified,  either  an  open  court  or  a fireproof  passage  or  corridor  shall 
be  provided  from  rear  exit  to  the  street  front,  of  at  least  4 feet  in 
width  for  exhibition  rooms  accommodating  fifty  persons  or  less,  and 
6 inches  additional  for  each  additional  fifty  persons  acommodated  by 
such  room.  Such  passage  shall  be  constructed  of  fireproof  material 
and  shall  be  at  least  10  feet  high  in  the  clear.  The  walls  forming 
such  passage  shall  be  at  least  8 inches  thick,  of  brick  or  other  ap- 
proved fireproof  material,  and  if  there  be  a basement  the  wall  on  the 
auditorium  side  shall  either  run  1 foot  below  the  cellar  bottom  or  may 
be  carried  in  the  cellar  on  iron  columns  and  girders  properly  fire- 
proofed. The  ceiling  of  said  passages,  and,  if  there  be  a basement, 
the  floor,  shall  be  of  fireproof  construction. 

5.  If  unobstructed  rear  exits  or  exits  to  a street  are  provided, 
the  said  exit  or  exits  shall  be  of  the  same  total  width  required  for  the 
court  or  passage  above  mentioned.  Said  passages  and  exits  to  the 
street  shall  be  used  for  no  other  purposes  except  for  exit  and  entrance, 
and  shall  be  kept  free  and  clear. 

6.  The  level  of  the  open  court  or  passage  where  it  intersects  the 
street  shall  be  not  greater  than  one  step  above  the  level  of  the  side- 
walk, and  the  grade  shall  be  not  more  than  1 foot  in  10,  with  no  per- 
pendicular rises. 

7.  All  seats  in  any  exhibition  room  for  moving  picture  theatre 
shall  be  not  less  than  32  inches  from  back  to  back,  measured  hori- 
zontally, and  securely  fastened  to  the  floor ; they  shall  be  so  arranged 
that  there  will  be  not  more  than  ten  seats  in  a line  betwen  aisles,  nor 
more  than  four  between  any  seat  and  an  aisle.  All  aisles  shall  lead 


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NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


directly  to  exits  and  all  exits  shall  he  directly  acessible  to  aisles.  No 
aisle  shall  be  less  than  3 feet,  6 inches  in  width.  All  exit  doors  shall 
be  arranged  to  swing  outward  and  be  provided  with  fastenings  that 
can  be  opened  readily  from  the  inside,  without  the  use  of  keys  or  any 
special  effort.  Such  doors  shall  not  be  locked  when  the  room  is  open 
to  the  public. 

8.  All  the  requirements  of  this  section  relating  to  seats,  aisles, 
passageways,  exits  and  doors  shall  apply  in  connection  with  each 
open-air  motion  picture  exhibition. 

9.  Every  exit  doorway  leading  from  exhibition  room  shall  have 
over  the  same  on  the  auditorium  side,  the  word  “EXIT”  in  letters 
in  metal  box  as  herein  provided  not  less  than  6 inches  high.  Light 
used  in  marking  exits  or  lighting  passageways,  stairways  or  inclines 
leading  from  them  shall  not  depend  upon  or  be  controlled  by  wires, 
switches  or  fuses  located  in  room,  compartment,  booth  or  enclosure 
containing  motion  picture  machines,  but  shall  be  controlled  from 
both  the  operating  room  and  ticket  office. 

Idem. 

521.  Approval  of  Picture  Machine  Theatres. — No  picture  ma- 
chine theatre  shall  be  opened  to  the  public  until  a joint  certificate  of 
approval,  has  been  issued  by  the  Supervisor  of  Buildings  and  the 
Electrical  Inspector,  and  in  no  case  shall  any  certificate  of  approval 
be  issued  until  the  entire  building,  structure,  works,  and  appliances, 
conform  to  all  the  conditions  of  this  ordinance. 

Idem. 

522.  Board  of  Examiners  of  Operators  of  Moving  Picture  Ma- 
chines. — The  Commissioner  of  Eire,  Sprinkling  and  Building  Inspec- 
tion, the  Supervisor  of  Buildings,  and  the  Electrical  Inspector  are 
hereby  constituted  as  a Board  to  examine  and  pass  on  all  applications 
to  operate  moving  picture  machines  in  the  City  of  Nashville,  Ten- 
nessee. 

Idem. 

523.  Operators  of  Picture  Machines. — Every  moving  picture  ma- 
chine shall  be  operated  by  a competent  male  person,  not  less  than  18 
years  of  age,  and  then  not  until  he  has  answered  all  questions  and  re- 
quirements contained  in  the  form  (furnished  by  the  Board  of  Ex- 
aminers), which  shall  be  countersigned  and  vouched  for  by  the  owner, 
lessee  or  employer  who  shall  also  be  held  responsible  for  the  conduct 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


169 


and  efficiency  of  such  persons  while  in  charge  of  and  operating  the 
said  owner’s,  lessee’s  or  employer’s  moving  picture  machine. 

Provided , that  an  apprentice  learning  the  business  may  work 
under  the  direction  and  in  the  presence  of  the  regular  operator  only 
for  the  purpose  of  perfecting  his  vocation. 

Idem. 


PAET  XXXVII. 


Assembly  Halls. 

524.  Requirements  for  Public  Safety. 

1.  In  all  buildings  or  parts  of  buildings  occupied  for  purposes  of 
assembly,  other  than  theatres,  which  are  provided  for  in  Sections 
460  to  519,  inclusive,  the  halls,  doors,  stairways,  passageways,  and  all 
other  exit  facilities  shall  conform  to  the  provisions  of  this  Code  as 
provided  for  in  Sections  300-309. 

3.  All  seats  shall  he  spaced  as  required  for  theatres.  In  comput- 
ing the  seating  capacity  of  any  room  or  building  used  for  purposes 
of  assembly  in  which  the  seats  are  not  fixed,  an  allowance  of  six 
square  feet  of  floor  area  shall  be  made  for  each  person  and  all  space 
between  the  walls  or  partitions  of  such  room  or  building  shall  be 
measured  in  this  computation.  Movable  seats  are  not  permitted  in 
balconies  and  galleries  having  stepped  floors. 

3.  Any  assembly  hall  containing  a stage,. shall  comply  with  the 
requirements  for  theatres,  except  that  stages  the  area  of  which  do  not 
exceed  one-fifth  the  area  of  the  auditorium  and  having  no  transient 
scenery  other  than  especially  approved  by  the  Supervisor,  may  con- 
form to  the  following  requirements:  The  proscenium  wall  may  be 
built  as  required  for  fireproof  partitions,  Section  379.  All  allowed 
openings  in  the  proscenium  wall  except  the  curtain  opening  shall  be 
protected  by  approved  fire  doors.  The  curtain  in  such  assembly  halls 
may  be  of  asbestos  instead  of  the  rigid  theatre  curtain  and  shall  be 
hung  on  incombustible  supports.  All  scenery,  borders,  and  wings 
shall  be  rendered  non-inflammable  as  provided  in  Section  511. 

Idem. 


170 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


PART  XXXVIII. 


Garages. 

525.  Garages. 

1.  Private  garages  may  be  erected  on  the  rear  of  premises  similar 
to  other  outhouses  within  any  zone  except  the  Pire  Retarding  Zone. 

2.  Such  garages  shall  not  be  more  than  one  story  in  height  and 
no  larger  than  necessary  to  acommodate  three  such  vehicles  using 
gasolene  or  other  volatile  inflammable  liquid  for  power. 

3.  Such  buildings  shall  in  all  cases  have  approved  fireproof  floors, 
and  the  walls  and  the  roofs  thereof  shall  be  of  same  materials  as 
herein  provided  for  buildings  within  such  Zones. 

4.  Provided,  that  private  garages  may  have  a second  story  for 
servant’s  quarters  if  the  floors  and  ceilings  are  made  of  such  fire  re- 
tarding construction  as  double  thick  floors  on  top  of  joist  with  two 
ply  of  14  lb.  asbestos  paper  between,  and  metal  lath  and  cement 
plaster  on  the  ceiling. 

5.  And  further  provided  that  such  one  story  garages  may  be  of 
such  all-metal  buildings  as  are  approved  by  the  Supervisor  of  Build- 
ings. 

Idem . 

526.  Public  Garages. — Xo  public  garage  shall  be  permitted 
where  any  portion  of  the  building  is  occupied  for  amusement,  assem- 
blage or  habitational  purposes. 

Idem. 

527.  That  all  buildings  used  for  public  garages,  occupied  or 
erected  after  the  passage  of  this  ordinance,  shall  be  of  approved  fire- 
proof construction,  provided  that  roof  for  same  may  be  of  mill  con- 
struction. 

Idem. 

528.  1.  All  public  garages,  or  rooms,  or  sections  thereof  containing 
automobiles,  shall  be  entirely  separated  by  fire  and  vapor  proof  par- 
titions from  any  and  all  portions  of  such  buildings  used  for  machine 
or  repair  purposes,  or  for  any  purpose  requiring  the  use  of  flame 
heat  boilers  and  (or)  furnaces. 

2.  All  such  wall  must  be  without  openings  to  the  interior  of  the 
garage,  except  in  such  cases  as  when,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Super- 
visor of  Buildings,  the  existence  of  such  openings  will  not  increase 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


171 


the  hazard  to  life  and  property,  provided  further  such  openings, 
when  permitted  must  be  protected  by  approved  automatic  fire  doors, 
such  door  or  doors  to  be  kept  tightly  closed  at  all  times  when  the 
opening  is  not  actually  being  used. 

3.  All  doors  and  windows  in  public  garages,  within  30  feet  or 
closer  to  other  buildings,  shall  be  protected  with  approved  fireproof 
doors,  shutters,  or  fireproof  windows  of  metal  and  wired  glass. 

4.  There  must  be  a system  of  ventilation  to  the  outer  air,  with 
openings  at  floor  line,  not  less  than  6x8  inches  for  each  ventilator. 

Idem. 

529.  That  heating  must  be  done  by  steam  or  hot  water.  The 
boiler  room  and  any  room  where  electric  charging  apparatus  is  used 
must  be  fireproof,  and  all  openings  between  such  rooms  and  other 
parts  of  the  garage,  shall  be  protected  by  automatic  fire  doors,  these 
doors  to  be  kept  constantly  closed,  except  when  open  for  actual  pas- 
sageway. 

1.  No  stove,  forges,  torches,  or  furnaces,  and  no  open  flame  or 
heat  devices,  shall  be  used  or  permitted  in  any  room  containing  auto- 
mobiles or  gasoline,  except  such  automobiles  as  are  being  actually  re- 
repaired  and  in  the  repair  room  or  shop. 

2.  Only  incandescent  electric  light,  preferably  enclosed  in  vapor- 
proof  globes,  with  keyless  sockets,  protected  by  approved  wire  guards, 
and  with  all  switches  and  fuses  in  approved  cabinets  shall  be  per- 
mitted. 

3.  All  fire  and  lights  on  vehicles  except  electric  lights  or  automo- 
biles, shall  be  extinguished  upon  the  entry  of  such  vehicles  or  auto- 
mobiles, into  the  garage  as  soon  as  the  vehicle,  or  automobile  comes 
to  a standstill,  and  before  the  door  of  entry  is  closed,  and  shall  not  be 
lighted  while  the  same  is  in  the  garage  until  the  vehicle,  or  automobile 
is  brought  within  10  feet  of  the  exit. 

4.  No  person  shall  smoke  in  any  garage.  A notice  in  large  letters 
“No  Smoking”  shall  be  kept  displayed  in  a conspicuous  place  and 
manner  on  each  floor  and  at  the  entrance  of  all  garages. 

Idem. 

530.  That  on  the  floor  of  every  garage,  there  shall  be  constantly 
kept  and  maintained,  convenient  receptacles  filled  with  sand,  to  be 
used  in  absorbing  waste  oils  on  the  floors.  In  addition  thereto,  sand 
shall  be  kept  on  every  floor  in  boxes  or  buckets  of  approved  construc- 
tion, provided  with  metal  hand  scoops,  to  be  used  for  fire  extinguish- 


172 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


ing  purposes  only.  One  such  bucket,  or  box,  to  be  provided  for  each 

1.000  square  feet  of  floor  area. 

1.  One  three-gallon  carbonic  acid  gas  fire  extinguisher  of  ap- 
proved construction,  and  one  one-quart  pump  type  extinguisher  of 
approved  make,  shall  be  provided  and  conveniently  located  for  each 

2.000  square  feet  of  floor  area. 

2.  Self-closing  metal  waste  cans,  set  firmly  upon  four-inch  legs, 
shall  be  kept  on  all  floors  of  every  garage,  and  all  inflammable  waste 
materials  must  be  deposited  into  these  receptacles. 

3.  Calcium  carbide  shall  be  kept  in  air  tight  receptacles,  these 
receptacles  to  be  deposited  in  a close  and  secure  canister,  or  container, 
which  must  be  at  least  six  inches  above  the  floor.  Said  container  to 
be  of  metal,  and  to  have  a secure  metal  closing  top,  which  must  be 
kept  closed  at  all  times  when  the  container  is  not  in  use. 

Idem. 


PART  XXXIX. 


531.  Storage  and  Handling  of  Volatile  Substances. — The  hand- 
ling or  storing  of  any  inflammable  liquid  within  dangerous  proximity 
to  an  open  flame  or  fire  is  expressly  prohibited.  Where  inflammable 
liquids  are  kept,  used  or  handled,  one  quart  chemical  extinguishers 
bearing  the  label  of  the  Underwriters  Laboratories,  Inc.,  shall  be 
provided  in  such  quantities  as  may  be  necessary,  and  no  vessels  or 
pumps  or  other  fixtures  or  appliance  shall  be  used  unless  it  has  the 
above  label. 

Idem. 

532.  Approved  Containers. 

1.  Xo  person,  firm  or  corporation  shall  keep,  nor  permit  to  be 
kept  on  their  premises  for  sale,  use,  manufacture  or  other  purposes 
within  the  corporate  limits  of  the  City  of  X ashville,  gasoline,  naptha 
or  other  volatile  inflammable  fluids  unless  same  is  kept  in  approved 
storage  receptacles. 

2.  Where  any  person,  firm  or  corporation  desires  to  keep  five 
gallons  or  less  of  any  volatile  inflammable  fluid  or  fluids  for  con- 
sumption, use  or  sale,  an  approved  safety  can  or  cans  shall  be  pro- 
vided. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


173 


3.  No  person,  firm  or  corporation  shall  sell  or  deliver  to  any  per- 
son, firm  or  corporation,  five  gallons  or  less  of  any  volatile  inflam- 
mable fluid  unless  delivered  into  such  approved  can  or  cans,  and  no 
person,  firm  or  corporation  shall  be  permitted  to  keep  for  consump- 
tion, use,  sale  or  other  purpose,  more  than  five  gallons  in  such  cans 
in  any  house,  and  for  the  storage  of  greater  quantities  of  any  volatile 
iuflammable  fluid  or  fluids  for  consumption,  use  or  sale,  an  approved 
underground  storage  system  shall  be  provided. 

Idem. 

533.  All  underground  storage  tanks  (with  the  exception  of  exist- 
ing underground  tanks  now  in  use,  and  in  good  condition)  should 
preferably  he  five  feet  or  more  from  any  building,  and  top  of  tank 
shall  be  at  least  three  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  ground  and  below 
the  level  of  the  lowest  pipe  in  the  building  to  be  supplied.  If  nec- 
essary, tanks  may  he  permitted  underneath  the  building  if  set  on  a 
firm  foundation,  encased  in  six  inches  of  cement  concrete,  and  buried 
at  least  three  feet  below  the  lowest  floor. 

Idem. 

534.  Tanks  located  outside  of  buildings  shall  be  set  on  a firm 
foundation  surrounded  by  soft  earth  or  sand,  well  tamped  into  place 
or  encased  in  six  inches  of  Portland  Cement  Concrete.  Tank  may 
have  a test  well,  provided  such  well  ‘extends  nearly  to  the  bottom  of 
tank  and  top  end  shall  be  hermetically  sealed  and  locked  except  when 
necessarily  open. 

Idem. 

535.  All  hose  pipe  used  for  transferring  gasoline  to  the  storage 
tanks  on  vehicles  shall  be  an  approved  metal-lined  rubber  hose. 

Idem.  \ 

536.  When  tank  is  located  underneath  a building,  the  test  well 
shall  extend  at  least  twelve  feet  above  source  of  supply.  The  limit 
of  storage  permitted  shall  depend  upon  the  location  of  tanks  with 
respect  of  thp  building  to  be  supplied  and  adjacent  buildings,  as  fol- 
lows : 

(a)  For  an  unlimited  capacity — if  the  top  of  tank  is  lower  than 
any  floor,  basement,  cellar  or  pit  in  any  building  within  a radius  of 
fifty  feet. 

(b)  For  20,000  gallons  total  capacity,  if  the  top  of  tank  is  lower 
than  any  floor,  basement,  cellar  or  pit  in  any  building  within  a ra- 
dius of  thirty  feet. 


174 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


(c)  For  5,000  gallons  total  capacity,  if  the  top  of  tank  is  lower 
than  any  floor,  basement,  cellar  or  pit  in  any  building  within  a radius 
of  twenty  feet. 

(d)  For  1,500  gallons  total  capacity,  if  the  top  of  tank  is  lower 
than  any  floor,  basement,  cellar  or  pit  in  any  building  within  a radius 
of  thirty  feet. 

(e)  For  500  gallons  if  not  lower  than  any  floor,  basement,  cellar 
or  pit  in  any  building  within  ten  feet,  in  which  case  it  must  be  en- 
tirely encased  in  six  inches  of  concrete  in  addition  to  being  three 
feet  underground  as  provided  above. 

Idem. 

537.  1.  All  underground  storage  systems  in  which  the  tank  may 
contain  inflammable  gases  shall  have  at  least  a one-inch  vent  pipe, 
run  from  top  of  tank  to  a point  outside  of  the  building,  but  which 
shall  end  at  least  twelve  feet  above  level  of  source  of  supply  and  in  a 
location  remote  from  fire  escapes  and  never  nearer  than  three  feet, 
measured  horizontally  and  vertically,  from  any  window  or  other  open- 
ing; the  tank  vent  pipe  shall  terminate  in  a goose-neck  protected  in 
the  outer  end  by  a 30x30  mesh  or  equivalent  brass  wire  screen.  Or  a 
combined  vent  and  filing  pipes  so  equipped  and  located  as  to  vent  the 
tank  at  all  times,  even  during  filling  operations. 

2.  The  end  of  the  filling  pipe  for  underground  storage  tanks  shall 
be  carried  to  an  approved  location  outside  of  any  building,  hut  not 
within  five  feet  of  any  entrance  door?  or  cellar  opening,  and  shall 
be  set  in  an  approved  metal  box  with  cover  which  shall  he  kept  locked 
except  during  filling  operations,  this  filling  pipe  shall  he  closed  hv  a 
screw  cap. 

3.  A 30x30  mesh  or  equivalent  brass  screen  strainer  shall  be 
placed  in  the  supply  end  of  filling  pipe. 

Idem. 

538.  Inflammable  liquids  shall  be  drawn  from  tanks  by  approved 
labeled  pumps  with  controlling  apparatus  and  piping  so  arranged  as 
to  allow  control  of  the  amount  of  discharge  and  prevent  leakage  and 
discharge  inside  the  building  by  any  derangement  of  the  system. 
Pumps  to  be  placed  outside  of  and  at  least  five  feet  from  any  build- 
ing. 


Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


175 


539.  Where  the  underground  tanks  are  used,  all  pipes  carrying 
volatile  inflammable  liquids  except  in  dry  cleaning  establishments 
shall  pitch  toward  tanks  and  shall  enter  tank  at  top.  There  shall  be 
a check  valve  or  other  approved  contrivance  on  all  main  line  pipes 
leading  from  such  underground  storage  tank  and  so  located  as  to  keep 
the  pipe  filled  with  gasolene  at  all  times.  All  pipes  passing  through 
basement  passageways,  storerooms,  or  other  places  where  they  are 
liable  to  mechanical  injury  shall  be  enclosed  in  another  pipe  or  sub- 
stantial construction. 

Idem. 

540.  Nothing  in  this  ordinance  shall  be  construed  to  prohibit  a 
manufacturer  from  bringing  into  the  factory  in  approved  cans  suffi- 
cient material  for  his  daily  operative  needs. 

Idem. 

541.  The  carrying  or  transferring  of  any  volatile  inflammable 
fluids  in  open  receptacles  in  or  about  any  premises  or  the  filling  of 
tanks  in  automobiles  or  other  vehicles  or  open  receptacles  from  any 
delivery  wagon  or  other  transporting  vehicle  or  the  use  of  gasolene 
torches  for  lighting  purposes  in  any  building  is  expressly  prohibited. 

/ Idem. 

542.  Sponging  is  prohibited  in  shops,  dwellings,  enclosures,  yards 
and  other  places,  unless  carried  on  through  the  application  of  such 
inflammable  liquids  from  an  approved  automatically  closing  safety 
can  of  not  more  than  one  quart  capacity.  Not  more  than  one  quart 
of  such  inflammable  liquids  shall  be  used  for  any  one  such  sponging 
operation. 

2.  Sponging  is  also  prohibited  in  any  room  not  provided  with 
safe  means  of  exit  direct  to  the  outside  of  the  building  and  shall  not 
be  executed  or  applied  in  any  room  or  enclosure  containing  any  open 
or  flaming  fire  or  light,  nor  within  ten  feet  of  such  light,  self -heating 
iron,  or  other  spark  or  flame-producing  appliance.  During  all  such 
application,  and  for  one-half  hour  thereafter,  two  direct  openings 
for  ventilation  and  air  circulation  must  be  provided,  preferably  on 
opposite  sides  of  the  room  and  near. the  floor  level. 

Idem. 


176 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


PART  XL. 


Buildings  foe  Dry  Cleaning. 

543.  All  gasolene,  or  other  volatile  inflammable  substances 
bandied  for  cleaning,  in  quantities  in  excess  of  one  gallon,  shall  be 
used  or  bandied  in  a separate,  well-ventilated  fireproof  building, 
which  shall  be  constructed  of  non-combustible  material  as  herein  pro- 
vided and  shall  not  be  more  than  one  story  or  sixteen  feet  high,  with- 
out a basement  or  other  open  space  below  the  floor,  and  shall  not  be 
used  for  other  occupancy,  the  walls,  if  of  brick,  shall  not  be  less  than 
thirteen  inches  thick,  or  if  of  reinforced  concrete  shall  not  be  less 
than  eight  inches  thick.  All  the  floors  and  roofs  shall  he  of  concrete 
or  other  non-comhustitble  material. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  832.  Approved  Oct.  24,  1916. 

Idem. 

544.  1.  In  wash-rooms,  only  the  necessary  approved  machinery 
and  appliances  for  washing,  extracting  and  redistilling  shall  he  per- 
mitted, and  not  more  than  four  machines  of  any  character  shall  be 
permitted  in  any  one  room. 

2.  No  direct  opening  shall  be  permitted  between  washrooms  and 
dry  rooms,  and  sufficient  fireproof  hallways  shall  be  maintained  to 
serve  all  such  rooms.  There  shall  be  no  exterior  openings  placed  in 
the  outside  walls  of  a room  when  nearer  than  thirty  feet  of  another 
building,  hut  such  necessary  8x1 0-inch  intake  vent  openings  shall  he 
installed  at  the  floor  line,  extending  not  less  than  six  feet  apart  around 
the  walls  of  the  entire  rooms  and  connected  with  4xl0-inch  service 
pipes,  all  properly  housed  in  the  walls,  which  shall  extend  to  at  least 
two  feet  above  the  roof  line  and  be  capped  over  with  proper  hoods. 
But  where  the  building  is  more  than  thirty  feet  from  another  build- 
ing the  inlet  vent  opening  belongs  to  an  outside  wall  may  pierce 
through  such  outside  wall  to  the  exterior  surface  thereof. 

3.  Each  room  shall  have  an  outlet  exhaust,  or  vent  opening,  which 
shall  conduct  to  and  through  a sufficient  sparkless  exhaust  fan,  which 
shall  run  continuously  and  empty  into  a vent  stack  which  shall  extend 
to  an  approved  height  and  be  of  ample  capacity  to  change  the  entire 
volume  of  air  in  each  room  or  hall  every  five  minutes. 

4.  All  door  openings  shall  be  provided  with  approved  fireproof 
gravity  shutters  or  doors,  which  shall  be  kept  closed  except  when 
passing  through,  and  each  door  opening  shall  have  a carpet  strip  rise 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


177 


of  one  inch  in  the  concrete  floor  under  each  door,  all  windows  must 
have  wire  glass  in  metal  frames.  All  doors,  shutters  windows  and 
other  necessary  openings  shall  be  arranged  for  ready  opening  or  clos- 
ing from  either  side  in  case  of  emergency,  using  a fusible  link  attach- 
ment for  closing  automatically. 

5.  No  combustible  material  for  racks  or  appurtenances  shall  be 
permitted  in  the  construction  of  any  wash  or  dry  room,  and  all  steam 
or  hot  water  pipes  for  drying  purposes  must  be  protected  by  wire 
screens,  or  otherwise,  so  as  to  prevent  contact  between  pipes  and  in- 
flammable goods. 

6.  All  rooms  shall  have  an  approved  steam  fire  extinguishing 
system,  erected  similar  to  a standard  water  sprinkling  system,  with 
all  necessary  appliances  for  quick  action.  No  outlet  shall  be  more 
than  eight  feet  from  another  outlet,  a quick  opening  steam  throttle 
valve  shall  be  provided  for  each  room  and  such  valves  shall  be  placed 
on  a special  valve  board  in  groups,  and  the  room  number  placed  on 
the  room  and  on  the  valve  therefor,  (or  where  such  fire  extinguishing 
system  is  not  available,  an  approved  system  using  a fire  deterrent 
chemical  or  gas  may  be  used),  and  in  all  cases  an  additional  one  quart 
approved  hand  chemical  extinguisher  shall  be  provided  for  each 
room,  or  for  each  250  square  feet  of  floor  area. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 

545.  1.  Each  room  and  hall  must  have  approved  sky  lights  with 
wire  glass  in  metal  frames  and  provided  with  fusible  link  attach- 
ments for  closing  of  all  vent  transoms  or  openings  automatically. 
Such  vent  transoms  or  openings  shall  be  covered  with  12x12  mesh 
brass  wire  screens  to  prevent  sparks  or  other  fire  entrance. 

2.  Necessary  precaution  shall  be  taken  to  prevent  clogging  or 
stopping  in  any  way  of  air  passage  through  such  wire  screens  or 
ventilators. 

Idem. 

546.  1.  Heating  shall  be  done  by  steam  or  hot  water  only  and 
no  steam  boiler,  furnace,  exposed  fire,  electric  dynamo  or  motor,  or 
other  spark  devices  shall  be  allowed  in  any  washing,  drying,  or  dis- 
tilling room,  or  hall  way  opening  thereto,  or  on  the  line  with  vapor 
travel  therefrom. 

2.  All  artificial  lighting  shall  be  in  accordance  with  the  rules  and 
regulations  of  the  “National  Electric  Code.’ 

Idem. 


178 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


547.  All  existing  dry  cleaning  plants  shall  comply  with  these 
ordinances  within  six  months  after  official  notice  is  received  from  the 
Supervisor  of  Buildings. 

Idem. 

548.  Machines  for  Dry  Cleaning. 

1.  All  dry  cleaning,  washing,  extracting  and  re-distilling  shall 
be  carried  on  in  approved  closed1  machines,  which  shall  be  fluid  tight. 

2.  Washers  may  have  hinged  doors  and  shall  be  arranged  so  that 
in  case  of  an  explosion  the  door  will  automatically  close. 

3.  The  transfer  of  all  liquids  shall  be  through  continuous  piping, 
and  all  outlets  or  drain  lines  shall  he  drained  by  gravity  to  settling 
or  storage  tanks. 

4.  No  dry  cleaning  liquids  shall  be  settled  in  any  open  or  un- 
protected vessels  or  fanks.  All  piping  and  all  metallic  parts  of  each 
machine  shall  be  properly  grounded  by  at  least  Nb.  10  copper  in- 
sulated wire  to  a water  pipe  or  other  grounded  devices. 

5.  All  reserve  and  storage  stocks  of  such  liquids  shall  be  kept 
and  handled  in  accordance  with  the  rules  and  regulations  for  the 
storage  of  gasoline.  • 

6.  General  Precautions. — All  goods  removed  from  washers 
to  extractors  must  be  kept  in  tight  metallic  cans  with  under  side  of 
bottom  covered  with  wood,  and:  all  footwear,  barrels,  kegs  or  other 
accessories  used1  in  dry  cleaning  establishments  shall  be  free  from 
iron  and  steel  as  a precautionary  measure  to  obviate  sparks,  and  no 
goods  .or  washed  stocks  shall  be  taken  from  wash  room  until  washing 
liquid  has  been  removed  by  the  extractor  and  all  dried  goods  shall 
be  removed  from  extractors  at  close  of  operation. 

Idem. 

549.  Settling  Tanks. 

1.  Settling  tanks  shall  be  constructed,  located  and  vented  essen- 
tially as  given  for  the  storage  tanks.  At  the  close  of  the  day’s  opera- 
tions, all  liquid  contained  in  washers,  extractors  or  stills,  or  other- 
wise, shall  be  returned  to  the  stock  or  settling  tanks. 

2.  All  tanks  containing  inflammable,  volatile  fluids  shall  be 
plainly  marked  by  signs,  indicating  danger.  All  dry  cleaning  prop- 
erties are  to  be  enclosed  entirely  in  substantial  fences  in  a manner 
to  prevent  trespassing. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


179 


550.  Tanks  Above  Ground  for  Wholesalers , Etc. 

1.  That  wholesalers,  manufacturers  and  refiners  may  erect,  with- 
in the  third  zone,  above  ground,  tanks  under  the  following  conditions : 

2.  That  each  tank  located  above  ground  containing  naptha,  ben- 
zine, gasoline  or  other  inflammable-volatile  liquids  of  equal  or  higher 
inflammability,  with  a capacity  of  24,000  gallons  or  over,  shall  be 
located  not  less  than  50  feet  from  the  nearest  adjoining  property  line. 

8.  That  each  tank  located  above  ground  containing  naptha,  ben- 
zine, gasoline,  or  other  inflammable-volatile  liquids,  or  liquids  of  equal 
or  higher  inflammability,  with  a capacity  less  than  24,000  gallons  and 
not  more  than  18,000  gallons,  shall  be  located  not  less  than  30  feet 
from  the  nearest  adjoining  property  line. 

4.  That  each  tank  located  above  ground  containing  naptha,  ben- 
zine, gasoline  or  other  inflammable-volatile  liquids,  or  liquids  of  equal 
or  a higher  inflammability,  with  a capacity  less  than  18,000  gallons 
and  not  more  than  12,000  gallons,  shall  be  located  not  less  than  25 
feet  from  the  nearest  adjoining  property  line. 

5.  That  each  tank  located  above  ground  containing  naptha,  ben- 
zine, gasoline,  or  other  inflammable-volatile  liquids  or  liquids  of  equal 
or  a higher  inflammability,  with  a capacity  less  than  12,000  gallons 
and  not  more  than  8,000  gallons,  shall  be  located  not  less  than  20 
feet  from  the  nearest  adjoining  property  line, 

6.  That  each  above  ground  tank  containing  liquids  having  a flash 
test  exceeding  74  degrees  F.  may  have  capacities  twice  that  above 
specified,  and  may  be  located  one-half  the  distance  of  the  tanks  of 
corresponding  capacities,  above  designated; 

7.  Provided , that  said  distances  herein  provided  do  not  apply  to 
the  street  property  line  or  the  railroad  line. 

8.  That  reinforced  concrete  may  be  used  in  the  construction  of 
tanks  to  be  used  for  inflammable-volatile  liquids,  provided  they  are 
constructed  in  conformity  with  the  provisions  of  the  Building  Code 
of  the  City  of  Nashville. 

9.  Tanks,  other  than  reinforced  concrete  tanks,  must  be  con- 
structed of  galvanized  steel,  basic  open  hearth  steel,  or  wrought  iron 
of  a minimum  gauge  (IT.  S.  Standard),  depending  upon  the  capacity 
as  given  herein. 

(1)  Horizontal  or  vertical  tanks  not  over  1,100  gallons  capacity. 


180 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Capacity  ( Gallons ) 
1 to  30  . . 
3 to  350  . . 
351  to  1,100  ..  , 


Minimum 

Thickness  of  Material . 

18  gauge 

16  gauge 

14  gauge 


(2)  Horizontal  tanks  over  1,100  gallons  capacity. 

Minimum 

k Thickness  of  Material. 

Maximum  Diameter.  Shell.  Heads. 

Hot  over  5 feet 10  gauge  7 gauge 

5 feet  to  8 feet 7 gauge  % inch 

8 feet  to  11  feet % inch  % inch 

(3)  Vertical  tanks  over  1,100  gallons  capacity. 


Under  40  feet  in  diameter  and  containing  not  more  than  5,000 
gallons : 

Bottom,  Ho.  8 gauge. 

Bottom  Bing,  Ho.  8 gauge. 

Other  Bings,  Ho.  10  gauge. 

Top,  Ho.  12  gauge. 

Under  40  feet  in  diameter  and  containing  more  than  5,000  gal- 
lons hut  less  than  10,000  gallons : 

Bottom,  Ho.  8 gauge. 

Bottom  Bing,  Ho.  7 gauge. 

Other  Bings,  Ho.  8 gauge. 

Top,  Ho.  12  gauge. 


Other  vertical  tanks  to  be  of  thickness  not  less  than  indicated 
in  the  following  table,  the  figures  referring  to  U.  S.  Standard  gauge: 

2nd  3rd  Jf-th  5th  6 th 
Ring  Ring  Ring  Ring  Ring 


Diameter 

Top 

Top 

from  from  from 

from 

from 

Feet. 

Ring 

Top 

Top 

Top 

Top 

Top 

Bottom 

80 

10 

7 

7 

3 

0 

3-0 

5-0 

10 

75 

10 

7 

7 

4 

1 

2-0 

4-0 

10 

70 

10 

7 

7 

4 

1 

2-0 

4-0 

10 

65 

10 

7 

7 

5 

1 

0 

3-0 

10 

60 

10 

7 

7 

5 

2 

0 

2-0 

10 

55 

10 

7 

7 

6 

3 

1 

2-0 

10 

50 

10 

7 

7 

7 

4 

1 

0 

10 

45 

10 

7 

7 

7 

5 

3 

1 

10 

40  and  less  10 

7 

7 

7 

5 

3 

2 

10 

NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


181 


All  riveted  joints  to  have  an  efficiency  of  at  least  60  per  cent. 

Tanks  of  greater  capacity  than  given  above  shall  he  of  material 
of  sufficient  thickness  to  safely  hold  the  contents,  and  proportionately 
heavier.  No  vertical  tanks  shall  be  more  than  30  feet  high. 

Each  above-ground  tank,  over  1,000  gallons  in  capacity,  must  have 
all  manholes,  hand  holes,  vent  openings,  and  other  openings  which 
may  emit  inflammable  vapor,  provided  with  30x30  mesh,  brass  wire 
screen,  or  its  equivalent,  so  attached  as  to  completely  cover  the  open- 
ing and  be  protected  against  clogging.  A safety  valve  or  vent  must 
be  provided,  or,  if  there  is  no  safety  valve  or  vent,  then  all  man- 
hole covers  must  be  kept  closed  by  weight  only,  and  not  firmly  at- 
tached. The  screen  on  such  opening  may'  be  made  removable,  but 
must  be  kept  normally  firmly  attached. 

Tanks  containing  inflammable 'liquids  flashing  below  74  degrees 
Er.  (23  degrees  Cent.)  closed  cup  tester  shall  have  painted  conspicu- 
ously upon  their  side,  in  letters  at  least  2 inches  high,  the  wording, 
“INFLAMMABLE — KEEP  EIRE  AWAY.” 

All  tanks  must  be  protected  against  corrosion  by  coating  the  out- 
side with  a suitable  rust-resisting  paint. 

10.  Tanks  must  be  set  upon  a firm  foundation,  and  must  be  elec- 
trically grounded. 

Tanks  more  than  one  foot  above  the  ground  must  have  foundation 
and  supports  of  non-combustible  materials,  except  wooden  cushions. 

11.  Piping  to  be  run  as  directly  as  possible  and  proper  allowance 
made  for  expansion  and  contraction. 

12.  Each  pipe  attached  to  tank  to  be  provided  with  a valve  with  no 
branches  nor  outlets  between  the  tank  and  valve. 

13.  The  handling  of  all  liquids  having  a flash  point  below  187 
degrees  Fr.  (86  degrees  Cent.)  closed  cup  tester  shall  be  prefera- 
ble by  approved  pumps  through  continuous  piping  so  as  to  avoid 
the  exposure  of  the  liquid  or  its  vapors.  Gravity  discharge  is  more 
hazardous  than  handling  by  means  of  pumps. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  875.  Approved  Dec.  5,  1916. 

Idem. 


182 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


PART  XLI. 


Storage  and  Handling  of  Dynamite,  Gun  Powder,  Etc. 

551.  Ho  person,  firm'  or  corporation  keeping  dynamite,  nitro- 
glycerine or  similar  high  explosives  for  sale  or  other  purposes  shall 
store  or  permit  to  he  stored  within  the  City  of  Nashville  any  such 
explosives  within  a building  used  for  any  other  purpose,  and  not 
more  than  ten  pounds  of  such  explosives,  either  singly  or  collectively, 
shall  be  stored  within  any  building  located  within  the  corporate 
limits  of  this  City  at  any  time. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,,  1916. 

552.  All  electric  or  other  blasting  caps  must  be  kept  in  a separate 
fireproof  receptacle. 

Idem. 

553.  No  person,  firm  or  corporation  keeping  gun  or  blasting 
powder,  or  similar  explosives  for  sale  or  otherwise  shall  store  or  per- 
mit to  be  stored  in  any  building  within  the  corporate  limits  of  the 
City  of  Nashville,  more  than  twenty-five  (2'5)  pounds  of  such  ex- 
plosives singly  or  collectively  at  any  time,  and  such  explosives  shall 
be  in  a substantial  metallic  canister. 

Idem. 

554.  Any  persons,  firm  or  corporation  selling  or  storing  gun 
powder  shall  obtain  a permit  from  the  Supervisor  of  Buildings  who 
shall  inspect  the  place  where  same  is  to  be  kept,  and  such  person, 
firm  or  corporation  shall  fully  disclose  to  said  Supervisor  where  such 
explosive  is  kept  both  in  day  and  night  time. 

Idem. 

555.  Gas  Pipes. 

1.  Every  building,  in  which  gas  is  used  for  lighting  or  heating, 
shall  have  each  supply  pipe  leading  from  the  street  mains  provided 
with  a heavy  brass  straight-way  stopcock  or  valve  placed  in  the  side- 
walk at  or  near  the  curb,  and  arranged  to  permit  shutting  off  at  that 
point. 

2.  No  gas,  water,  or  other  pipes  shall  be  let  into  wooden  beams 
placed  within  36  inches  of  the  end  of  the  beams,  and  in  no  case  shall 
the  pipes  be  let  into  any  beam  more  than  onerfifth  of  its  depth. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


183 


556.  Installation  of  Gas  Pipes  and  Gas  Appliances. 

1.  All  outlets  and  risers  shall  be  left  capped  until  covered  by 
fixtures. 

2.  Ground  joint  unions  or  running  threads  shall  be  used.  Where 
necessary  to  cut  out  for  repair  of  leaks,  or  making  extensions,  pipe 
shall  be  again  put  together  with  ground  joint  unions  or  running 
threads. 

3.  All  gas  burners  shall  be  placed  at  least  3 feet  below  any 
woodwork  or  ceiling  attached  to  wooden  beams,  unless  the  same  is 
properly  protected  by  a shield,  in  which  case  the  distance  shall  be  not 
less  than  18  inches. 

4.  No  swinging  or  folding  gas  bracket  shall  be  placed  against  or 
near  any  stud  partition  or  woodwork. 

5.  No  gas  bracket  on  any  lath  and  plaster  partition  or  woodwork 
shall  be  less  than  6 inches  in  length  measured  from  the  burner  to  the 
plaster  surface  or  woodwork. 

6.  Gaslights  placed  near  window  curtains  or  any  other  combus- 
tible material  shall  be  guarded  by  globes  or  wire  cages. 

7.  Gas  connections  to  stoves  and  similar  heating  devices  shall  be 
made  by  rigid  metal  pipes.  For  small  portable  gas  heating  devices, 
flexible  metal  or  rubber  tubing  may  be  used  when  there  is  no  valve 
or  other  shut-off  on  the  device. 

8.  All  gas,  gasoline,  oil,  or  charcoal  burning  stoves  or  heating  de- 
vices shall  be  placed  on  iron  stands  at  a standard  height  above  com- 
bustible supports,  provided  that  fire  pots  and  charcoal  burners  be 
placed  4 inches  above  any  combustible  surface  and  have  ventilators 
and  metal  guards  at  least  on  such  above  combustible  support. 

9.  No  open  flame  heating  or  lighting  device  shall  be  used  in  any 
room  where  gasoline  or  other  volatile  inflammable  fluids  are  stored 
or  handlecl. 

10.  No  meter  shall  be  set  by  any  gas  company  until  a certificate 
is  filed  with  them  from  the  Department  of  Buildings  certifying  that 
the  gas  pipes  and  fixtures  comply  with  the  foregoing  rules. 

Idem. 


184 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


PART  XL1I. 


Enclosures  Around  Elevator  Shaftways,  in  General. 

557.  The  shaftways  of  all  elevators  shall  be  enclosed  throughout 
their  height  with  walls  of  brick,  or  terra  cotta,  or  wire  lath  and 
plaster,  or  wired  glass  set  in  metal  frames  or  other  fire-resisting  con- 
struction, except  (1)  elevators  serving  only  two  adjacent  stories;  (2) 
elevators  within  the  wellways  of  surrounding  stairs;  (3)  elevators  of 
carriage  type  and  of  hatchway  type;  (4)  elevators  outside  of  build- 
ings; and  (5)  that  part  of  a dumb-waiter  shaftway  located  between 
the  floor  and  a counter-top. 

The  details  of  construction,  thickness  of  walls,  thickness,  size  and 
method  of  setting  wired  glass,  etc.,  shall  conform  to  the  requirements 
of  this  Code.  Two  or  more  elevators  may  be  installed  in  the  same 
shaftway  without  partitions  between  them. 

Elevator  machine  rooms,  opening  to  shaftways,  must  he  enclosed 
with  fire-resisting  construction. 

2.  Fire-resisting  shaftway  enclosures  shall  he  extended  through 
and  at  least  3 feet  above  the  roof  if  the  elevator  serves  the  top  story 
of  the  building,  except  in  the  case  of  a dumb-waiter  shaftway  ter- 
minating under  a counter-top,  and  except  where  a solid  platform  is 
located  under  the  machinery  and  sheaves  at  the  top  of  the  shaftway 
entirely  blocking  it  except  for  the  openings  for  cables. 

3.  If  the  fire-resisting  shaftway  enclosures  continue  through  the 
roof,  a skylight  or  skylights  shall  be  located  in  the  top  of  the  shaftway, 
or  a window  or  windows  shall  be  located  in  the  side  walls  of  the  en- 
closures, at  the  top,  unless  there  is  a solid  platform  at  the  top  of  the 
shaftway  entirely  blocking  it  except  for  openings  for  cables,  etc.  The 
total  glass  area  of  such  skylights  or  windows  shall  be  in  each  case  (1) 
not  less  than  one-half  the  area  of  the  shaftway;  (2)  not  less  than  three 
square  feet  if  the  area  of  the  shaftway  is  three  square  feet  or  more; 
and  (3)  the  full  area  of  the  shaftway  if  the  latter  is  less  than  three 
square  feet. 

4.  If  there  is  a solid  platform  under  the  machinery  and  sheaves 
at  the  top  of  the  shaftway  entirely  blocking  it  except  for  the  openings 
for  cables,  etc.,  windows  of  construction  and  as  nearly  as  possible  the 
area  specified  herein  shall  be  installed  in  the  shaftway  immediately 
below  such  solid  floor,  and  either  in  the  outside  wall  of  the  building 
or  above  the  roof. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


185 


558.  Enclosures  Around  Shaftways  of  Elevators  Serving  Only 
two  Adjacent  Stories. 

1.  The  shaftways  of  elevators  serving  only  two  adjacent  stories 
shall  he  enclosed  throughout  the  entire  height  of,  at  least,  one  of  the 
two  stories  with  fire-resisting  construction  as  herein  provided,  ex- 
cept shaftways  around  dumb-waiters  or  elevators  of  carriage  type 
and  of  hatchway  type,  or  elevators  outside  of  building. 

Idem. 

t 559.  Enclosures  Around  Elevator  Shaftways  in  Stairwells. 

1.  The  shaftways  of  all  elevators  within  the  well  ways  of  sur- 
rounding stairs  shall  be  enclosed  in  each  story  with  fire-resisting  con- 
struction, as  herein  provided. 

2.  All  such  enclosures  shall  extend  from  floor  to  ceiling  on  all 
sides. 

Idem. 

560.  Enclosures  Around  Shaftways  of  Carriage-type  Elevators. 

1.  The  shaftways  of  carriage-type  elevators  which  serve  two  floors 
only  need  not  be  enclosed  except  that  the  sides  of  the  floor  opening 
shall  be  protected  by  guards  not  less  than  3 feet  and  4 inches  above 
the  floor,  such  as  grille  work,  sheathing,  wood  or  metal  double-rail 
fences,  etc.,  securely  fastened  in  place. 

2.  The  shaftways  of  carriage-type  elevators  which  serve  more 
than  two  floors  shall  be  completely  enclosed  from  the  second  story 
floor  up  with  fire-resisting  construction  such  as  specified  herein. 

Idem. 


PART  XLIII. 


561.  Signs,  Sig7i-Bulletins,  Billboards  and  Fences. 

1.  Xo  signs,  sign-bulletin  or  billboards  or  fences  of  any  character 
shall  be  erected  in  the  City  of  Xashville  which  in  any  way  endangers 
or  conflicts  with  public  safety  or  convenience. 

2.  Xo  person,  firm  or  corporation,  shall  erect  or  permit  to  be 
erected  any  sign,  sign-bulletin,  billboard,  structure  or  device  for  any 
purpose  without  the  filing  of  plans  and  specifications  of  same  with 
the  Building  Inspection  Department  and  obtaining  a permit  therefor. 

3.  And  the  name  of  the  contractor  shall  be  painted  on  all  signs. 

Idem. 


186 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


562.  Horizontal  Signs. 

1.  Horizontal  signs  for  the  front  or  face  of  buildings  (such  as  are 
commonly  used  by  merchants  or  other  similar  class  of  business)  shall 
not  be  over  30  inches  in  height  and  placed  in  the  solid  wall  spaces 
between  the  heads  and  sills  of  windows,  or  other  openings  used  for 
ingress  or  egress,  light  or  ventilation. 

2.  And  in  no  case  shall  such  sign  project  above  the  top  of  any 
window  sill  or  cover  any  part  of  such  opening  as  hereinabove  stated. 

3.  All  such  signs  shall  be  secured  with  sufficient  expansion  bolts 
which  shall  be  let  into  the  walls  at  least  four  inches  in  sufficient  num- 
bers to  properly  secure  the  said  sign. 

4.  Or  said  sign  shall  rest  in  and  be  bolted  to  strong,  heavy  metal 
brackets  or  saddles  set  not  over  six  feet  apart,  each  of  which  shall  be 
securely  bolted  to  the  walls  or  steel  girders  with  expansion  bolts  as 
above  stated. 

5.  Or  with  stud  bolts  with  sufficient  capacity  if  secured  to  steel 
construction. 

6.  And  in  no  case  shall  any  signs  whatsover  be  secured  with  wire, 
strips  of  wood,  nails  or  sign  hooks  driven  into  the  walls,  or  other 
structural  parts  of  building,  or  any  other  such  or  similar  or  tempo- 
rary construction. 

7.  And  no  pediment  or  parasite  sign  shall  be  hung  or  secured  to 
any  sign. 

Idem. 

563.  Pilaster  Signs. 

1.  Pilaster  or  panel  signs  are  permissible  on  the  face  of  a flat 
brick  or  stone  pilaster  of  a business  house,  and  must  not  project 
above  the  top  of  any  sill  or  below  the  tops. of  windows  or  doors,  or 
any  opening  used  for  ingress  or  egress,  light  or  ventilation. 

2.  And  must  be  secured  flat  against  the  face  of  such  walls  with  a 
good  and  sufficient  number  of  heavy  expansion  bolts  which  shall  be 
let  into  the  walls  at  least  four  inches  deep. 

3.  And  in  no  case  shall  such  signs  be  secured  with  wire,  strips  of 
wood,  nails  or  sign  hooks  driven  in  the  walls  or  other  structural  parts 
of  the  building. 

Idem. 

564.  Shingle  Signs. — Sheet  metal  signs  of  a single  thickness  not 
over  Ho.  16  gauge  of  the  type  known  as  “shingle  signs”  containing 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


187 


not  over  four  square  feet,  may  be  erected  and  placed  not  less  than 
nine  feet  above  the  sidewalk  line,  and  projecting  the  building  line  not 
more  than  two  feet,  and  must  be  secured  with  proper  metal  bolts, 
anchors  and  stays. 

Idem. 

565.  Shy  Signs. 

1.  Sky  signs  may  be  placed  on  tops  of  buildings  (provided  the 
written  permission  of  the  owner  or  owners  is  obtained  and  filed  with 
the  Building  Inspection  Department)  with  the  application  for  a per- 
mit, and  no  permit  shall  be  granted  until  such  owner’s  consent  is  filed. 

2.  Any  letter,  word,  model,  sign,  device  or  representation  in  the 
nature  of  an  advertisement,  announcement  or  direction,  supported  or 
attached  wholly  or  in  part  over  or  above  any  wall,  building  or  struc- 
ture, shall  be  deemed  to  be  a sky-sign. 

3.  Except  as  herein  specified  sky  signs  shall  be  constructed  of 
metal  including  the  supports  and  braces  for  same,  and  no  sky  sign 
shall  project  beyond  the  building  line,  and  the  sign  body  shall  be  of 
open  metal  work  and  may  have  illuminated  letters  or  figures  properly 
secured  on  the  face  thereof.  Provided,  that  sky  signs  of  sheet  metal 
as  provided  in  Section  562,  paragraph  1,  may  be  constructed  with 
a body  not  over  four  feet  high,  with  an  open  air  space  underneath, 
not  less  than  2 feet,  6 inches  high,  making  a total  height  of  6 feet, 
6 inches  to  the  extreme  top  of  the  completed  sign,  the  supports  and 
bracing  shall  be  the  same  as  for  other  sky-signs  as  herein  provided. 

4.  M>  sky-sign  shall  be  supported,  anchored  or  braced  to  the 
wooden  beams  or  other  framework  of  a building  which  is  over  three 
stories  high. 

5.  Sky-signs  shall  be  set  back  at  least  four  feet  from  the  face  of 
the  wall  on  a street,  alley  or  court  front,  and  shall  have  a space  at  least 
6 feet  in  height  between  the  bottom  of  the  sign  and  the  roof  and  not 
over  50  feet  total  in  height. 

6.  All  such  signs  shall  be  designed  to  withstand  a wind  pressure 
of  at  least  30  pounds  per  square  foot  of  surface. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  832.  Approved  Oct.  24,  1916. 

Idem. 

566.  Plans  and  specifications  showing  a comprehensive  construc- 
tion and  detail  shall  be  filed  with,  and  approved  by  the  Building  In- 
spection Department  for  each  and  every  sign. 

Idem. 


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NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


567.  No  signs,  bulletins  or  billboards  erected  upon  uprights  on  a 
vacant  lot  or  any  other  supports  extending  into  the  ground,  shall 
be  at  any  point  more  than  13  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
and  shall  have  at  least  two  feet  of  open  space  next  to  the  ground  line. 

2.  No  sign  bulletins  or  billboards  shall  be  nearer  to  the  lot  line  on 
any  street  than  the  house  line  adjoining  the  same,  and  lines  of  resi- 
dences shall  take  precedence  in  establishing  said  line. 

3.  In  no  case  shall  any  sign  bulletin  or  billboard  located  in  a resi- 
dence section  be  less  than  fifteen  (15)  feet  from  the  street  line. 

4.  Where  new  buildings  are  erected,  present  sign  bulletins  or  bill- 
boards shall  be  set  back  to  new  house  line. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 

568.  No  matter  shall  be  painted  or  posted  on  any  sign  bulletin, 
billboard,  or  structure  that  is  licentious,  vulgar  or  obscene,  or  depict- 
ing the  commission  of  any  crime,  and  no  matter  shall  be  painted  or 
posted  on  any  such  sign  bulletin  or  billboard  structures  until  it  has 
been  inspected  and  approved  by  the  Supervisor. 

Idem. 

569.  No  fence,  sign,  sign  bulletin  or  billboard  within  the  City 
limits  shall  be  used  for  or  converted  into  a wall  of  or  for  a shed  or 
building  of  any  kind. 

Idem. 

570.  Fences  shall  not  be  more  than  seven  (7)  feet  in  height. 

Idem. 

571.  Sign  bulletins,  billboards  and  fences  which  were  constructed 
prior  to  the  enactment  of  this  ordinance,  and  which  were  in  accord 
with  the  previous  ordinance  may  be  permitted  to  remain,  and  they 
shall  be  kept  in  repair  as  herein  provided. 

2.  No  sign  bulletin  or  billboard  of  any  character  shall  be  placed 
on  top  of  another  sign,  sign  bulletin  or  billboard. 

Idem. 

572.  Illuminated  Signs. 

1.  Electric  or  gas  illuminated  signs  only  may  project  from,  and 
at  right  angles  to  the  front  of  business  houses,  and  shall  not  project 
further  out  than  twelve  inches  of  curb  line  or  be  less  than  nine  feet 
above  the  sidewalk. 

2.  Such  signs  shall  be  made  of  metal  with  all  intersections  securely 
bolted  and  soldered  together,  and  any  glass  used  therein  (over  12x12 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


189 


inches)  shall  have  woven  wire  in  the  entire  body  thereof  and  such 
glass  shall  not  be  less  than  3/16-inch  thick. 

3.  Suspension  rods  of  such  signs  shall  pass  through  the  wall  of 
the  building  and  be  secured  with  bolt  washers  and  nuts  on  inside  of 
such  walls,  or  if  to  steel  work  then  by  steel  angles  and  threaded  bolts, 
and  all  junctions  of  suspension  and  other  structural  work  shall  be 
securely  bolted  together  with  bolted  cable  clips  or  similar  bolted 
construction. 

Idem. 

573.  1.  The  owner  or  operator  of  such  electric  or  gas  illuminated 
sign  shall  sign  a statement  agreeing  to  cut  in  and  use  current  or  gas 
as  soon  as  sign  is  hung  in  place,  under  a penalty  fine  for  non-com- 
pliance. 

2.  Only  one  illuminated  sign  shall  be  attached  to,  suspended,  or 
projected  from  the  front  of  any  one  business  house. 

3.  No  illuminated  sign  shall  remain  if  the  lights  thereof  are 
not  kept  burning  regular  from  6 :30  p.m.  to  10  p.m.  each  and  every 
night,  but  shall  be  removed  by  the  owner  or  agent. 

Idem. 

574.  Provided,  that  bracket  signs  not  over  36  inches  high,  and 
secured  to  the  wall  with  bolts  and  brackets  and  not  projecting  the 
property  line  more  than  twenty  inches,  may  be  placed  not  less  than 
seven  feet  above  the  sidewalk  grade. 

Idem. 

575.  Cloth  Signs. — Temporary  cloth  signs  for  advertising  pur- 
poses may  be  permitted  on  the  fronts  of  buildings  not  over  three  feet 
wide  and  do  not  cover  or  obstruct  any  doors,  windows  or  transoms ; 
(provided,  that  this  shall  not  apply  to  solid  transom  over  show  win- 
dows of  stores),  such  signs  shall  not  be  placed  on  any  wooden  frame, 
but  shall  be  secured  with  corrugated  nails  and  large  tin  washers,  and 
shall  be  removed,  within  twenty-four  hours  after  written  notice  from 
the  Supervisor;  provided , that  no  such  cloth  signs  shall  remain  on 
any  building  or  structure  longer  than  30  days. 

Idem. 

576.  No  sign,  billboard,  dodger  or  advertising  matter  whatso- 
ever, shall  be  placed  on  any  pile  of  building  material,  post  or  shed, 
where  building  or  structural  work  is  being,  or  preparing  to  be  done. 

Idem. 


190 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


577.  No  sign,  banner,  flag  or  other  contrivance  for  advertising 
purposes  shall  be  erected  or  suspended  across  any  street,  alley  or 
public  space. 

2.  No  sign  of  any  character  shall  be  erected  on  the  front  or  face 
of  any  building  in  such  way  as  to  cover  or  obscure  any  window,  door 
or  opening,  or  any  part  thereof. 

Idem. 

578.  Materials  for  Signs. 

1.  All  exposed  surfaces  of  signs  hereafter  erected  and  attached 
to  buildings  and  structures  within  the  City  of  Nashville  shall  be  of 
some  incombustible  material,  such  as  tinplate,  galvanized  or  enameled 
iron,  sheet  or  cast,  copper  or  brass  (provided  that  signs  having  wooden 
letters  placed  on  metal  surfaces  and  properly  riveted  shall  be  per- 
missible), and  a frame  work  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  the  metal 
face  of  such  signs  shall  be  constructed  of  angle  steel  and  all  riveting 
and  securing  of  angles  and  face  metal  shall  be  done  with  rust-proof 
rivets. 

2.  All  signs,  sign  bulletins  and  billboards  shall  be  permanently 
secured,  supported,  braced  and  otherwise  rigidly  constructed  using 
galvanized  nails  to  secure  face  work  to  frame*  and  sound  heart  lumber 
for  all  rails,  braces  and  posts. 

3.  All  connections  to  woodwork,  sign  bulletins,  or  billboards  shall 
'be  by  steel  angle  plates  properly  secured  to  woodwork  with  60-d 
nails,  bolts  or  lag  screws,  and  no  post  for  billboards  or  sign  bulletins 
shall  be  less  than  4x4  inches  at  its  smallest  point,  and  set  not  less 
than  three  feet  in  ground ; to  be  of  cedar,  locust  or  other  durable  ma- 
terial. 

4.  Nor  shall  any  billboard  or  sign  bulletin  be  secured  with  wooden 
strips  or  light  wire,  or  any  part  thereof  extend  over  the  property  line. 

Idem. 

579.  Flag  Poles. — Permanent  flag  poles  of  approved  metal  con- 
struction may  be  erected  and  flags  or  pennants  may  be  attached  thereto 
with  one  end  free. 

Idem. 

580.  Tents. 

1.  It  shall  be  unlawful  to  erect  a tent  within  the  Pirst  Zone  of 
the  fire  district.  The  Supervisor  may,  at  his  discretion,  grant  per- 
mits to  a person  or  persons  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  tents- outside 
of  the  First  Zone; 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


191 


2.  Provided , however,  that  before  any  such  permit  shall  be 
issued  the  person  desiring  the  permit  shall  pay  to  the  City  Treasurer 
the  lawful  tax  or  fee  thereon,  and  shall  state  in  writing  the  purpose 
for  which  he  desires  to  use  said  tent,  and  shall  also  file  with  the  Su- 
pervisor the  written  consent  of  such  person  or  persons  owning  and 
occupying  the  property  adjoining  the  place  where  it  is  proposed  to 
erect  said  tent. 

3.  Any  person  erecting  a tent  excepting  as  herein  provided,  shall 
be  guilty  of  a misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction  shall  be  fined  as 
provided  by  ordinance. 

Idem. 

581.  Bond  for  Sign  or  Awning  Business. 

1.  Every  person,  firm  or  corporation  engaged  in  the  business 
of  erecting,  manufacturing,  painting  or  hanging  signs,  signboards, 
illuminated  signs,  sign  bulletins,  billboards  or  awnings,  shall  file  a 
good  and  sufficient  surety  bond  in  the  penal  sum  of  Five  Thousand 
Dollars  with  the  Board  of  Commissioners  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
demnifying, saving  and  keeping  the  City  of  Nashville  harmless  and 
free  of  costs,  damages  or  expenses  of  any  or  all  kinds  which  may  be 
suffered  by  the  City  because  of  neglect,  bad  construction,  or  work- 
manship on  the  part  of  such  person,  firm  or  corporation  in  the  con- 
struction, repairs,  or  maintenance  of  such  signs,  sign  bulletins,  sign 
boards,  illuminated  signs  or  billboards,  or  awnings. 

2.  Such  bond  shall  be  for  twelve  months,  and  renewed  annually 
thereafter. 

3.  No  permit  shall  be  issued  to  any  person  or  firm  to  erect  signs, 
sign  bulletins,  billboards,  or  awnings  until  such  bond  is  filed. 

4.  And  every  person  engaged  in  the  sign  bulletin  or  billboard 
business  shall  within  two  months  (from  date  of  this  ordinance)  file 
a schedule  of  all  bulletins  or  billboards,  owned  and  controlled  by 
them,  the  sign  location,  and  expiration  date  of  such  contracts. 

Idem. 

582.  Awnings. 

1.  Where  cloth  covered  awnings  are  attached  to  buildings,  the 
framework  shall  be  of  metal,  and  all  awnings  in  the  corporate  limits 
shall  be  Italian  awnings,  or  awnings  such  as  may  be  folded  back 
against  the  front  of  the  building  on  which  said  awning  is  placed, 
when  not  in  u3e,  and  shall  not  be  less  than  eight  feet  above  the  side- 
walk when  open. 

2.  All  such  awnings  shall  be  securely  framed  and  bolted  together, 
and  to  the  structural  parts  of  the  building. 


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NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


3.  And  no  stationary  awning  or  shed  awning  of  wooden  con- 
struction shall  he  allowed  or  maintained  in  the  City  of  Nashville. 

4.  And  no  permit  shall  be  issued  to  repair  such  shed  or  awning. 

5.  And  all  such  wooden  sheds  or  metal  frames  of  stationary  de- 
sign shall  be  removed  within  6 months  after  passage  of  this  ordinance. 

Idem. 


PART  XLIV. 


583.  Marquise. — Marquise  may  he  erected  over  the  front  en- 
trance of  a store,  hotel,  flat  or  apartment  house,  or  any  public  build- 
ing, and  may  project  over  the  sidewalk  to  within  two  feet  of  the  curb 
line  at  its  widest  projecting  point  beyond  the  building  line. 

2.  Said  marquise  shall  not  front  the  street  more  than  one-half  the 
width  of  any  building  that  has  a frontage  of  thirty  feet  or  less,  and 
if  said  frontage  be  more  than  thirty  feet,  then  the  marquise  may 
have  a frontage  width  of  not  over  one-third  of  the  frontage  width  of 
the  building. 

3.  Provided , that  the  remainder  of  such  frontage  space  may  have 
a continuing  projection  of  not  over  3 feet  beyond  the  wall  line  and 
placed  on  same  line  of,  and  be  a continuance  of  the  marquise  proper. 

4.  No  marquise  shall  be  less  than  nine  feet  above  the  sidewalk 
at  the  lowest  point. 

5.  Said  marquise  shall  be  made  entirely  of  metal  framing  and 
metal  ornamental  work  well  secured  to  the  building  and  shall  be 
roofed  in  with  heavy  wired  glass,  not  less  than  three-eights  inch  thick 
and  not  over  sixteen  inches  wide  for  each  sheet,  which  shall  be  care-  , 
fully  embedded  in  a proper  waterproof  setting  and  shall  have  nec- 
essary valleys,  gutters,  and  down  pipes  to  completely  drain  all  water 
to  the  gutter,  or  sewer. 

Idem . 


PART  XLY. 


Protection  op  Workmen  and  the  Public. 

584.  Provision  for  Safety.  * 

1.  Fireproof  floor  construction  shall  follow  up  the  erection  of  the 
steel  framing  of  all  structures  within  two  complete  tiers. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


193 


2.  If  filling  with  brick  or  other  fireproof  material  is  not  required 
between  floor  beams,  the  under  flooring  or  other  planking  shall  be 
laid  in  each  story  as  the  building  progresses. 

3.  If  the  floor  construction  is  of  structural  steel,  the  contractor 
for  the  steel  work  or  the  owner  of  building  in  course  of  erection  shall 
thoroughly  plank  the  entire  tier  of  steel  beams  on  which  the  struc- 
tural work  is  being  erected,  except  such  spaces  as  may  be  reasonably 
required  for  hoisting  materials  and  other  erection  work. 

4.  All  openings  in  the  floor  framing  intended  for  stairways,  ele- 
vators or  for  other  shafts  shall  be  planked  over  or  enclosed  on  all 
sides  to  a height  of  at  least  3 feet. 

5.  If  elevating  or  hoisting  apparatus  is  used  for  the  purpose  of 
lifting  materials  within  a building  under  construction,  the  shafts  or 
openings  in  each  floor  shall  be  inclosed  or  fenced  by  a substantial 
barrier  at  least  6 feet  high,  except  two  sides  for  the  handling  of  ma- 
terials. These  sides  shall  be  guarded  by  an  adjustable  barrier  not 
less  than  3 feet  high  above  the  floor  and  not  less  than  2 feet  from 
the  edge  of  such  shaft  or  opening. 

Idem. 

585.  Strength  of  Temporary  Supports. — Every  temporary  sup- 
port placed  under  any  structure,  wall,  girder  or  beam,  during  the 
erection,  alteration,  demolition,  or  repair  of  any  building  or  structure 
or  any  part  thereof,  shall  be  of  sufficient  strength  for  safely  carry- 
ing the  load  to  be  placed  thereon. 

Idem. 

586.  Overloading  to  be  Avoided. — During  the  construction  or 
alteration  of  any  building  or  structure  no  material  entering  into  such 
construction  or  alteration  shall  be  placed  on  any  floor  in  excess  of 
the  live  load  that  such  floor  is  intended  to  safely  sustain. 

Idem. 

587.  Outside  Scaffolds. — Whenever  outside  scaffolds  are  used  on 
buildings  over  40  feet  in  height,  whether  they  be  suspended  or  con- 
structed of  poles  and  thrustouts,  they  shall  be  provided  with  a sub- 
stantial guard  railing  or  enclosure  of  wire  mesh  or  other  suitable 
material,  extending  4 feet  above  the  working  platform  on  its  outer 
edge  and  ends.  All  such  scaffolds  shall  be  constructed  in  a manner 
to  secure  the  safety  of  the  workmen  on  them  and  the  people  using  the 
street,  provided  that  swinging  scaffolds  30  feet  or  less  in  length  shall 
not  be  included  as  above. 

Idem. 


194 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


PART  XL VI. 


Tenement  House  Law. 

588.  Scope  of  Law. 

1.  An  ordinance  controlling  the  construction  and  use  of  tene- 
ment and  apartment  houses. 

2.  This  ordinance  shall  be  known  and  cited  as  the  Tenement. 
House  Law,  and  provides  regulations  affecting  the  light,  ventilation, 
protection  from  fire,  means  of  egress,  and  sanitation  of  tenement 
houses.  Except  as  herein  otherwise  provided,  every  tenement  house 
shall  he  constructed  and  maintained  in  confirmity  with  the  special 
provisions  of  this  ordinance,  and  in  accordance  with  all  other  re- 
quirements of  this  Code  of  which  the  Tenement  House  Law  forms  an 
integral  part. 

Idem. 

589.  Class  of  Construction  Required. 

1.  Fireproof  Tenements.  Every  building  erected  or  altered  for 
use  as  a tenement  house  exceeding  3 stories  in  height,  shall  he  con- 
structed fireproof  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  this  Code 
for  fireproof  buildings. 

2.  Non-fireproof  Tenements.  All  non-fireproof  tenement  houses 
erected  or  altered  having  a height  of  three  stories  or  less  shall  have 
the  first  floor  slab  above  the  cellar  or  lotvest  story  of  fireproof  con- 
struction. 

Idem. 

590.  Buildings  Converted  or  Altered. 

1.  A building  not  a tenement  house,  if  converted  or  altered  to 
such  use,  shall  thereupon  become  subject  to  all  the  provisions  of  this 
Code  affecting  tenement  houses  hereafter  erected. 

2.  No  tenement  house  shall  at  any  time  he  altered  so  as  to  he  in 
violation  of  any  provision  of  this  Code.  If  any  tenement  house  or 
any  part  thereof  is  occupied  by  more  families  thafi  provided  in  this 
ordinance,  or  is  erected,  altered  or  occupied  contrary  to  law,  such 
tenement  house  shall  he  considered  an  unlawful  structure,  and  the 
Supervisor  may  cause  such  building  to  he  vacated.  Such  building 
shall  not  again  he  occupied  until  it  or  its  occupation  as  the  case  may 
be,  conforms  to  the  law. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


195 


591.  Light  and  Ventilation . 

1.  Percentage  of  Lot  Occupied.  ~No  tenement  Louse  shall  occupy, 
either  alone  or  with  other  buildings,  except  as  otherwise  provided  in 
the  sections  prescribing  the  measurements  for  yards  and  courts,  a 
greater  percentage  of  the  area  of  the  lot  than  as  follows: 

(a)  In  the  case  of  a corner  lot,  not  more  than  90  per  cent. 

(b)  In  the  case  of  an  interior  lot  which  exceeds  90  feet  in  depth 
and  does  not  exceed  105  feet  in  depth,  not  more  than  70  per  cent. 

(c)  In  the  case  of  an  interior  lot  which  exceeds  105  feet  in  depth, 
not  more’  than  65  per  cent. 

2.  The  space  occupied  by  outside  exit  stairways  shall  not  be  con- 
sidered a part  of  the  lot  occupied.  For  the  purposes  of  this  section 
the  measurements  shall  he  taken  at  the  ground  level,  except  that 
where  such  a building  has  no  basement,  and  the  cellar  ceiling  is  not 
more  than  2 feet  above  the  curb  level,  the  measurements  may  be 
taken  at  the  level  of  the  second  tier  of  beams.  The  provisions  of  this 
section  shall  not  apply  to  a tenement  house  running  through  from 
one  street  to  another  street,  provided  that  the  lot  on  which  it  is  sit- 
uated does  not  exceed  100  feet  in  depth. 

Idem. 

592.  Height , and  Pent  Houses. 

1.  The  height  of  a tenement  house  shall  not  exceed  one  and  one- 
half  times  the  width  of  the  widest  street  upon  which  it  stands  and 
in  no  case  exceed  125  feet.  Pergolas  or  similar  open  ornamental 
treatment  of  roof  gardens  or  playgrounds  shall  not  be  considered  as 
affecting  such  height. 

2.  If  there  are  pent  houses  or  superstructures,  other  than  bulk- 
heads, exceeding  10  feet  in  height  or  covering  an  aggregate  area 
greater  than  10  per  cent,  of  the  area  of  the  roof,  the  height  measure- 
ment shall  be  taken  to  the  top  of  the  highest  of  such  pent  houses  or 
superstructures. 

3.  A pent  house,  erected  on  the  roof  of  a fireproof  tenement  house 
in  which  one  or  more  passenger  elevators  are  operated,  shall  not  be 
considered  as  affecting  the  height  measurement  of  the  building,  pro- 
vided the  pent  house  complies  with  the  following  requirements : 

(a)  The  pent  house,,  including  all  the  bulkheads  shall  not  cover 
more  than  50  per  cent,  of  the  area  of  the  main  roof. 

(b)  The  pent  house  shall  be  set  back  at  least  10  feet  from  both 
the  front  and  rear  walls  of  the  building,  and  at  least  3 feet  from 


196 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


any  court  wall,  and  shall  have  a clear  inside  height  of  not  less  than 
9 feet  from  finished  floor  to  finished  ceiling,  and  shall  not  exceed  12 
feet  in  height  from  the  highest  point  of  the  main  roof  to  the  highest 
point  of  the  pent  house  roof. 

(c)  The  pent  house  shall  be  entirely  of  fireproof  construction. 

(d)  The  pent  house  shall  not  be  used  or  rented  as  apartments, 
but  its  use  shall  be  limited  solely  to  laundry  and  store  room  purposes, 
and  to  servants’  and  janitors’  quarters. 

Idem. 

593.  Yards. 

1.  Behind  every  tenement  house,  unless  abutting  on  a street  or 
alley,  there  shall  be  a yard  extending  across  the  entire  width  of  the 
lot.  Except  upon  a corner  lot,  such  yard  shall  have  an  unobstructed 
opening  from  every  point  to  the  sky,  except  that  an  unenclosed  out- 
side stairway,  serving  as  a fire  escape  exit,  or  a bridge  or  platform 
not  exceeding  4 feet  in  width  may  extend  above  the  yard  from  the 
roof  of  a tenement  house  to  the  roof  of  an  adjoining  or  abutting 
building,  without  prejudice  to  this  requirement. 

2.  The  depth  of  said  yard,  measured  from  the  extreme  rear  wall 
of  the  'house  to  the  rear  line  of  the  lot  shall  be  as  follows: 

(a)  Except  upon  a corner  lot,  the  depth  of  the  yard  behind  every 
tenement  house  not  exceeding  36  feet  in  height,  shall  be  not  less 
than  10  feet. 

Idem. 

594.  Courts. — ■E’o  court  of  a tenement  house  shall  be  covered  by 
a roof  or  skylight,  but  every  such  court  shall  be  at  every  point  open 
from  the  ground  to  the  sky  unobstructed,  except  by  an  outside  exit 
stairway. 

Idem. 

595.  Public  Hallways , Width  of. 

1.  Every  entrance  hallway  shall  be  at  least  4 feet  wide  in  the 
clear,  from  the  main  entrance  to  the  stairway  enclosure.  If  such 
entrance  hallway  is  the  only  entrance  to  more  than  one  stairway, 
that  portion  of  said  hallway  between  the  entrance  and  the  first  stair- 
way, shall  be  increased  in  width  one-half  for  each  additional  stair- 
way it  serves. 

2.  In  all  tenement  houses,  public  hallways  serving  as  means  of 
egress  for  not  more  than  three  apartments  on  one  floor  shall  be  44 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


197 


inches  wide  in  the  clear;  and  for  every  additional  apartment  so 
served  on  such  floor  the  width  shall  he  increased  8 inches. 

3.  For  doorways  serving  such  hallways,  see  Section  300,  para- 
graph 3. 

Idem. 

596.  Stairways. 

1.  In  every  tenement  house  all  stairways  shall  extend  from  the 
entrance  floor  to  the  roof,  and  the  stairs  shall  be  at  least  48  inches 
wide  in  the  clear.  Each  apartment  in  every  story  shall  have  direct 
access  to  such  stairways. 

2.  Each  stairway  shall  have  an  exit  to  the, street  at  the  street 
level,  or  to  a court  or  yard  which  connects  directly  with  the  street. 

3.  In  non-fireproof  tenement  houses  no  closet  of  any  kind  shall 
he  constructed  under  any  stairway  leading  from  the  entrance  story 
to  the  upper  stories,  hut  such  space  shall  be  left  entirely  open  and 
free  from  incumbrance. 

Idem. 

597.  Stairways , Number  of. — Every  tenement  house  containing 
not  more  than  twenty  apartments  or  suites  of  rooms  above  the  en- 
trance floor  shall  have  at  least  one  interior  stairway,  and  for  every 
additional  twenty  apartments  or  fraction  thereof,  one  additional  stair- 
way shall  be  provided.  If  such  house  contains  not  more  than  thirty 
apartments  above  the  entrance  floor,  in  lieu  of  an  additional  stair- 
way, the  entrance  hallway  and  stair  hallway  may  each  be  made  one- 
half  wider  than  specified  in  Section  301. 

Idem. 

598.  Cellar  and  Basement  Stairways. — In  every  tenement  house 
there  shall  be  an  outside  entrance  to  the  cellar  or  other  lowest  story. 

Idem. 

599.  Stairs , Construction  of. — All  stairs  for  tenement  houses 
shall  be  constructed  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  Section 
301. 

Idem. 

\ 

600.  Lighting  of  Public  Hallways. 

1.  In  a fireproof  tenement  house  in  which  one  or  more  passenger 
elevators  are  provided,  elevator  vestibules  or  hallways  not  less  than 
5 feet  in  minimum  dimension  and  not  exceeding  in  any  dimension 


198 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


twice  the  width  of  the  elevator  shafts  which  they  serve,  may  be  per- 
mitted without  a window  to  the  outer  air,  provided  such  elevator 
vestibules  are  completely  shut  off  from  all  other  parts  of  the  house  by 
approved  fireproof  enclosures;  and  provided  that  such  elevator  ves- 
tibules are  ventilated  to  the  outer  air  by  means  of  vent  flues  not  less 
than  12  inches  square  ; and  provided  that  such  elevator  vestibules  are 
equipped  with  wires,  pipes  and  fixtures  for  both  gas  and  electric 
lighting,  and  are  kept  properly  lighted  by  electric  light. 

2.  In  every  tenement  house  a proper  light  shall  be  kept  burning 
by  the  owner  in  the  public  hallways  near  the  stairs  upon  the  entrance 
floor,  and  upon  every  floor  above  the  entrance  floor,  every  night  from 
dark  to  dawn  throughout  the  year ; also  upon  all  other  floors  from 
sunset  until  ten  o’clock  in  the  evening.  This  paragraph  shall  apply 
to  existing  tenements  as  well  as  those  hereafter  erected. 

Idem. 

601.  Skylights  for  Public  Hallways. — In  every  tenement  house 
there  shall  be  placed  in  the  roof,  directly  over  each  stair-shaft,  a ven- 
tilating skylight  provided  with  ridge  ventilators  having  a minimum 
opening  of  40  square  inches,  or  such  skylight  shall  be  provided  with 
fixed  or  movable  louvres ; the  glazed  roof  of  such  skylights  shall  not  he 
less  than  20  square  feet  in  area.  In  existing  tenement  houses  where 
the  stairs  and  public  hallways  are  not  provided  with  windows  on  each 
floor,  opening  directly  to  the  outqr  air,  the  skylights  shall  be  pro- 
vided with  both  ridge  ventilators  and  with  fixed  or  movable  louvres 
or  movable  sashes. 

Idem. 

602.  Lighting  and  Ventilation  of  Rooms. 

1.  In  every  tenement  house,  every  room  including  water-closet 
compartments  and  bath-rooms,  shall  have  at  least  one  window  opening 
directly  upon  the  street  or  upon  a yard  or  court  of  the  dimensions 
hereinbefore  specified;  and  such  window  shall  be  so  located  as  to 
properly  light  all  portions  of  such  rooms.  In  addition  to  the  above 
requirement,  no  apartment  of  three  rooms  or  less  shall  extend  in 
depth  from  the  street  or  yard,  as  the  case  may  be,  for  a greater  dis- 
tance than  18  feet  without  the  intervention  of  an  inner  or  outer  court 
adjoining  said  room,  constructed  as  required  by  this  ordinance. 

2.  Wherever  a room  in  a tenement  house  opens  upon  an  inner 
court  less  than  10  feet  wide,  measured  from  the  lot  line  to  the  oppo- 
site wall  of  the  building,  such  room  shall  be  provided  with  a sash 
window,  communicating  with  another  room  in  the  same  apartment, 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


199 


such  window  to  contain  not  less  than  10  square  feet  of  glazed  sur- 
face, and  arranged  to  open  easily. 

3.  The  total  window  area  in  each  room,  except  water-closet  com- 
partments and  bath-rooms,  shall  be  at  least  one-tenth  of  the  superficial 
area  of  the  room,  and  the  top  of  at  least  one  window,  shall  not  be  less 
than  7 feet,  6 inches  above  the  floor ; and  the  upper  half  of  it  shall  be 
made  to  open  the  full  width.  No  such  window  shall  be  less  than  12 
square  feet  in  area  between  the  stopbeads.  Transom  or  partition 
sash  to  private  hallways  or  to  adjoining  rooms  shall  be  provided  to 
secure  thorough  ventilation,  when  required  by  the  Supervisor;  but 
no  such  transom  or  sash  window  shall  be  required  in  rooms  contain- 
ing two  windows,  'provided  each  window  contains  12  square  feet  of 
area  between  stop-heads,  or  in  the  case  of  a mullioned  window  contain- 
ing 24  square  feet. 

4.  No  tenement  house  shall  be  so  altered  that  any  room,  or  pub- 
lic hallway  or  stairs,  shall  have  its  light  or  ventilation  diminished 
in  any  way  not  approved  by  the  Supervisor. 

Idem. 

603.  Exits  Required. 

1.  In  all  tenement  houses  every  apartment  or  suite  of  rooms  above 
the  entrance  floor  shall  have  at  least  two  independent  means  of  egress 
located  remote  from  each  other  and  extending  continuously  to  the 
street,  or  to  a court  or  yard  connected  with  the  street,  so  arragned 
that  each  may  be  reached  from  the  same  apartment  without  having 
to  pass  the  other.  One  of  such  means  of  egress  shall  be  an  interior 
stairway  constructed  and  arranged  as  specified  in  Sections  595  to 
599,  inclusive.  The  other  may  be  an  additional  interior  stairway 
constructed  the  same  as  the  first,  or  a smokeproof  tower,  an  outside 
exit  stairway,  or  a horizontal  exit,  as  specified  in  Sections  301  to 
309,  inclusive. 

2.  The  second  means  of  exit  shall  be  so  located  and  arranged  as 
to  connect  directly  to  at  least  one  room  or  private  hallway  in  each 
story  above  the  first.  Such  room  or  private  hallway  shall  be  accessi- 
ble to  every  room  of  the  apartment  without  passing  through  a public 
hallway.  The  connection  shall'  not  be  made  through  a bath-room  or 
water-closet  compartment.  Access  to  exits  shall  not  be  obstructed  in 
any  manner. 

Idem. 

604.  Partitions  in  Non- fireproof  Tenements. — Apartment  parti- 
tions in  non-fireproof  tenement  houses  shall  be  constructed  as  speci- 
fied in  Section  380. 


200 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Apartment  partitions  within  the  meaning  of  this  section  are  par- 
titions crossing  the  floor  beams  at  any  angle,  and  designed  to  separate 
apartment  from  apartment,  or  any  part  of  an  apartment  from  the 
public  hallway  or  other  public  part  of  the  building. 

Idem. 

605.  Chimneys,  Fireplaces  and  Flues. — In  tenement  houses  not 
heated  by  steam,  hot  water  or  hot  air  every  apartment  shall  be  pro- 
vided with  an  open  fireplace  or  grate  or  a stove  pipe  connection  with 
a lawful  flue  or  chimney.  Under  no  circumstances  shall  a gas  stove 
be  directly  connected  with  a flue  that  communicates  with  another 
apartment. 

Idem. 

606.  Vent  Flues. — In  a fireproof  tenement  house  water-closets 
and  bath-rooms  which  are  supplementary  to  those  required  by  law 
may  be  ventilated  by  individual  vent  flues  extending  independently 
of  any  other  flue,  to  and  above  the  roof.  Such  vent  flues  shall  not  be 
covered  at  the  top,  but  may  be  provided  with  a hood  or  louvres. 

Idem. 

607.  Shafts. — All  shafts  in  tenement  houses  shall  be  constructed 
as  provided  in  Sections  353-356. 

Idem. 

608.  Frame  Tenement  and  Tenements  Prohibited  on  Lot  With 
Frame  Buildings. 

1.  No  existing  frame  tenement  house  within  the  fire  limits  shall 
be  enlarged  or  raised,  except  as  provided  in  Section  452. 

2.  Frame  tenements  are  prohibited.  For  limitations  on  frame 
dwellings  outside  the  fire  limits  See  Section  454. 

Idem. 

609.  Storage  of  Dangerous  or  Combustible  Materials  Prohibited 
in  Tenements. — No  part  of  any  tenement  house,  nor  of  the  lot  upon 
which  it  is  situated,  shall  be  used  as  a place  of  storage,  or  handling  of 
any  article  dangerous  or  detrimental  to  life  or  health,  nor  for  the 
storage,  or  handling  of  feed,  hay,  straw,  excelsior,  lumber,  cotton, 
paper,  feathers,  rags  or  other  inflammable  material.  This  section 
applies  to  existing  tenements  and  those  hereafter  erected. 

Idem. 

610.  Tenement  Houses  Enlarged  or  Altered. 

1.  No  tenement  house  shall  be  enlarged,  or  its  lot  be  diminished, 
so  that  a greater  percentage  of  the  lot  shall  be  occupied  by  buildings 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


201 


or  structures  than  is  permitted  in  Section  59 1,  provided  that  the 
space  occupied  by  outside  exit-  stairways,  and  by  chimneys  or  flues 
located  in  yards  and  attached  to  the  houses  and  which  do  not  exceed 
5 square  feet  in  area  and  do  not  obstruct  light  or  ventilation,  shall 
not  be  considerer  a part  of  the  lot  occupied. 

2.  Any  additional  room  constructed  in  a tenement  house,  shall 
comply  in  all  respects  with  the  provisions  of  this  ordinance  except 
that  such  room  may  be  of  the  same  height  as  the  other  rooms  on  the 
same  story  of  the  house. 

3.  No  room  in  a tenement  house  erected  prior  to  the  adoption  of 
this  ordinance  shall  he  occupied  for  living  purposes  unless  it  shall 
have  a window  opening  directly  upon  the  street,  or  upon  a yard  not 
less  than  4 feet  deep,  or  above  the  roof  of  an  adjoining  building,  or 
upon  a court  or  shaft  of  not  less  than  20  square  feet  in  area,  open  to 
the  sky,  without  roof  or  skylight. 

4.  Any  shaft  hereafter  constructed  in  an  existing  tenement  house, 
for  lighting  or  ventilating  rooms  used  for  living  purposes,  shall  be  not 
less  than  25  square  feet  in  area,  nor  less  than  4 feet  wide  in  any  part, 
and  such  shaft  shall  under  no  circumstances  be  roofed  or  covered  at 
the  top  with  a roof  or  skylight ; every  such  shaft  shall  be  provided  at 
the  bottom  with  a horizontal  intake  or  duct,  of  a size  not  less  than  4 
square  feet,  and  communicating  directly  with  the  street  or  yard ; such 
duct  shall  be  so  arranged  as  to  be  easily  cleaned  out.  Such  shafts 
shall  be  of  fire-resistive  construction  as  provided  in  Sections  330-333. 

Idem . 

611.  Structural  Requirements . — All  structural  details  for  tene- 
ment houses  which  are  not  specifically  treated  in  this  ordinance  known 
as  the  “Tenement  House  Law”  shall  be  subject  to  the  requirements  of 
the  various  sections  of  this  Code  dealing  with  such  details,  and  the 
construction  shall  in  every  way  conform  to  the  provisions  therein 
contained. 

Idem. 

612.  Water  Supply. — In  every  tenement  house  there  shall  be  in 
each  apartment  a proper  sink  with  running  water.  The  owner  shall 
provide  proper  and  suitable  tanks,  pumps  or  other  appliances  neces- 
sary to  receive  and  distribute  an  adequate  and  sufficient  supply  of 
such  water  in  each  apartment,  at  all  times  of  the  year,  during  all 
hours  of  the  day  and  night. 

Idem. 


202 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


613.  Water-closet  Accommodations. 

1.  In  every  tenement  house  there  shall  be  a separate  water-closet 
in  a separate  compartment  within  each  apartment.  Every  water- 
closet  and  bath  hereafter  installed  in  any  tenement  house  shall  he 
placed  in  a compartment  completely  separated  from  every  other  wa- 
ter-closet and  bath ; such  compartment  shall  be  inclosed  with  plastered 
partitions  extending  to  the  ceiling  and  shall  have  a window  opening 
directly  upon  the  street  or  yard,  or  upon  a court  of  the  dimensions 
hereinbefore  specified1.  Such  compartment  shall  also  be  provided 
with  proper  means  of  lighting. 

2.  The  floor  of  every  water-closet  compartment  shall  be  made 
waterproof  with  asphalt,  tile,  stone  or  other  approved  material ; such 
waterproofing  shall  extend  up  the  walls  at  least  6 inches  above  the 
floor.  Ho  drip  tray  shall  be  permitted.  Ho  water-closet  fixtures  shall 
be  inclosed  with  woodwork. 

Idem. 

614.  Cellars. 

1.  In  tenement  houses  all  walls  below  the  ground  level  and  the 
cellar  or  lowest  floor  shall  be  made  damp-proof.  The  entire  cellar  or 
lowest  floor  shall  also  be  covered  with  a bed  of  good  concrete  at  least 
4 inches  thick,  troweled  to  an  even  surface.  All  cellars  shall  be 
properly  lighted  and  ventilated. 

2.  In  tenement  houses  there  shall  be  not  more  than  one  apartment 
in  the  cellar  and  this  shall  contain  not  more  than  five  rooms  and 
bath,  and  shall  be  occupied  solely  by  the  janitor  and  his  family  and 
no  other  rooms  in  the  cellar  shall  be  occupied  for  living  or  sleeping 
purposes. 

3.  Ho  room  in  the  cellar  shall  be  occupied  for  living  purposes, 
unless  all  of  the  following  conditions  are  complied  with : 

(a)  Such  room  shall  be  at  least  9 feet  high  in  the  clear  and  its 
ceiling  shall  be  in  every  part  at  least  4 feet  above  the  curb  level  of 
the  street  in  front  of  the  building,  or  4 feet  above  yard  grade,  when 
such  room  is  located  in  the  front  part  of  the  building;  if  such  room 
is  located  in  the  rear  of  the  building,  the  ceiling  shall  be  not  less  than 
2 feet  above  the  curb  level  of  the  street  in  the  front  of  the  building, 
and  the  yard  or  court  upon  which  such  room  opens  shall  extend  to  a 
point  6 inches  below  the  floor  level  of  said  room. 

(b)  Every  such  room  shall  be  an  integral  part  of  an  apartment 
containing  a room  having  a window  opening  directly  to  the  street  or 
yard. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


203 


(c)  There  shall  be  appurtenant  to  such  room  the  use  of  a sepa- . 
rate  water-closet. 

(d)  Such  room  shall  have  a window  opening  upon  the  street,  or 
upon  a yard  or  court;  and  the  area  of  the  window  shall  be  not  less 
than  12  square  feet  below  stop  beads.  The  upper  half  of  such 
window  shall  open  by  means  of  a vertically  sliding  pulley  hung  sash. 

Idem. 

615.  Care  of  Walls  and  Ceilings. — The  cellar  walls  and  ceilings 
of  every  tenement  house,  and  the  walls  of  all  yard  courts,  inner  courts, 
and  shafts  connected  with  tenement  houses,  unless  built  of  light 
colored  brick,  stone,  or  concrete,  shall  be  thoroughly  whitewashed  or 
painted  a light  color  by  the  owner,  and  shall  be  so  maintained. 

Idem. 

616.  Shafts,  Courts , Areas,  and  Yards. 

1.  In  every  tenement  house  the  bottom  of  all  shafts,  courts,  areas, 
and  yards  which  extend  to  the  basement  for  light  or  ventilation  of  liv- 
ing rooms,  shall  he  6 inches  below  the  floor  level  of  the  part  occupied. 
In  every  tenement  house  all  shafts,  courts,  areas,  and  yards  shall  he 
properly  concreted,  graded,  drained,  and  connected  with  the  street 
sewer  where  practicable. 

2.  In  every  tenement  house  there  shall  be  at  the  bottom  of  every 
shaft  and  inner  court  an  approved  self-closing  fire  door  giving  suf- 
ficient access  to  such  shaft  or  court  to  enable  it  to  be  properly  cleaned. 

Idem. 

617.  Roofs.— The  roof  of  every  tenement  house  shall  he  main- 
tained water-tight,  and  the  rain  water  therefrom  shall  not-  be  permit- 
ted to  discharge  into  the  yards  or  courts. 

Idem. 


PART  XL VII. 


618.  Drilling  and  Blasting. — It  is  unlawful  for  any  person,  firm 
or  corporation  to  do  any  work  at  drilling  or  blasting  of  rock  with  any 
explosives  whatsoever  between  the  hours  of  6 p.m.  and  6 a.m.  within 
the  City  limits,  and  all  such  lawful  blasting  shall  be  properly  covered 
and  barricaded  before  completing  the  blast. 

Idem. 


204 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


PART  XL VIII. 


619.  Work  on  the  Sabbath  Day. — No  contractor,  owner,  work- 
man, laborer  or  person  whatsoever  shall  do  any  work  or  labor  on  any 
building,  structure,  or  works  within  the  City  between  the  hours  of 
12  p.m.  Saturday  night  and  12  p.m.  Sunday  night. 

Idem. 


PART  XLIX. 


620. '  Electrical  Installations. — That  the  office  of  Electrical  In- 
spector is  hereby  created.  He  shall  be  elected  by  the  Board  of  Com- 
missioners, and  nominated  by  the  Commissioner  of  Eire,  Street 
Sprinkling  and  Building  Inspection,  and  is  under  his  supervision  and 
control.  His  salary  shall  be  not  more  than  $1,500  per  annum,  pay- 
able as  provided  by  ordinance.  He  shall  give  bond  in  the  sum  of  two 
thousand  ($2,000.00)  dollars,  with  surety  thereon,  signed  by  an  in- 
demnity insurance  company  authorized  to  transact  business  in  the 
State  of  Tennessee,  conditioned  that  said  officer  will  faithfully  dis- 
charge the  duties  that  are  now  or  may  hereafter  be  imposed  upon  him, 
and  all  liability  that  may  accrue  by  reason  of  his  office.  Said  bond 
shall  be  approved  by  the  Board  of  Commissioners  as  provided  by 
Charter. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  916.  Approved  Feb.  13,  1917. 

Idem. 

\ 

621.  The  Electrical  Inspector  shall  proceed  to  make  proper  in- 
spection upon  the  exhibition  to  him  of  the  permit,  and  he  shall  issue 
a certificate  with  his  approval  when  the  work  is  found  by  him  to  be 
in  accordance  with  the  ordinances  of  the  City.  No  permit  shall  be 
granted,  for  any  electric  sign,  picture  machine,  theatre  booth,  or  simi- 
lar structure,  either  interior  or  exterior,  until  the  Electical  Inspec- 
tor and  the  other  inspection  departments,  whose  approval  is  required, 
shall  have  examined,  passed  on,  and  approved  the  applications,  plans 
and  specifications,  and  shall  also  be  prepared  to  give  their  certificate 
of  approval,  all  of  which  shall  be  based  on  the  ordinances  of  the  City 
of  Nashville.  If  such  applications,  plans  and  specifications  do  not 
appear  to  conform  to  the  requirements  of  said  ordinances,  no  permit 
shall  issue  until  such  applications,  plans  and  specifications  are  made 
to  comply  with  the  said  ordinances  of  the  City.  All  permits  for  elec- 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


205 


trie  signs,  booths  in  picture  machine  theatres  and  similar  structures 
must  he  a joint  permit  issued  from  such  departments  as  are  required 
to  inspect  and  approve  the  same. 

Board  of  Commissioners.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 

Idem. 

622.  The  Electrical  Inspector  shall  use  a book  of  certificates  in 
duplicate  and  regularly  numbered  as  may  be  approved  by  the  Com' 
missioner,  and  shall  retain  a copy  for  his  own  records ; and  the  owners 
of  all  electric  signs  and  similar  structures  shall  be  entitled  to  a cer- 
tificate from  the  Inspector  stating  that  such  signs  or  structures  com- 
ply with  these  ordinances,  at  final  acceptance  by  the  Inspector. 

Idem. 

623.  The  Electrical  Inspector  or  his  authorized  assistants  are 
hereby  empowered  and  directed  to  enter  all  buildings  or  structures 
in  pursuance  of  the  duties  of  their  office,  and  to  inspect  all  electric 
wiring  used  for  the  transmission  of  current  for  light,  heat  and  power 
purposes  that  is  now  or  hereafter  installed.  And  a semi-annual  in- 
spection shall  be  made  of  all  electric  signs  and  structures  of  similar 
character.  Ho  person,  firm  or  corporation  shall  attempt  to  do  any 
electrical  work,  either  new  work,  additions,  alterations  or  changes 
on  old  work,  without  first  applying  to  the  Electrical  Inspector  and 
securing  a permit  for  doing  said  work,  and  no  permit  shall  be  issued 
to  any  person,  firm  or  corporation  who1  has  not  first  obtained  a license 
to  do  electrical  work. 

The  schedule  of  fees  for  inspection  of  electric  wiring,  shall  be 
as  follows: 

Where  wires  are  to  be  concealed  (porcelain  knob  or  tube,  or 
installation  of  iron  conduit)  for  equipment  of  ten  outlets  or 

less $1.50 

For  each  additional  outlet,  ten  and  including  25.... 10 

For  each  additional  outlet  over  25 05 

For  opening  or  moulding  work,  for  equipment  of  10  or  less  out- 
lets   1.00 

For  each  additional  outlet  up  to  and  including  twenty-five  (25)  05 

For  each  additional  outlet  over  25 02 

Arc  lamps  and  ceiling  fans,  for  equipment  of  three  or  less.  ...  1.00 

For  each  additional  up  to  and  including  10 15 

For  each  additional  over  10 05 

Motors,  two  horsepower  or  less 50 


206 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Motors,  over  two  horsepower  up  to  and  including  five  horse- 
power   1.00 

Motors  over  five  horsepower  and  up  to  and  including  ten  horse- 
power   1.50 

Motors  over  10  horsepower  up  to  and  including  15  horsepower.  2.00 

Motors  over  15  horsepower 2.50 

Heaters  and  other  electrical  equipment  will  he  charged  same  as 
motors  containing  746  watts  as  one  horsepower. 

Electric  signs  and  structures  similar  thereto,  each 1.00 

Picture  machine  theatre  booth  1.00 

Mercury  rectifiers,  each 1.00 

Combination  or  electrical  fixtures,  equipment  of  10  or  less.  . .50 

Additional  fixtures 50 


That  all  fees  shall  be  certified  to  the  City  Comptroller  by  the 
Electrical  Inspector;  the  said  Electrical  Inspector  shall  keep  a copy 
of  such  certificate  in  a hook,  and  the  certificate  shall  he  numbered 
and  shall  correspond  with  the  number  of  the  copy  of  the  certificate 
furnished  the  City  Comptroller.  The  fees  shall  be  paid  to  the  City 
Treasurer  upon  the  signature  on  the  warrant  signed  by  the  Comp- 
troller ; and  said  certificate  upon  payment  of  said  fee  shall  be  marked 
“paid,”  giving  the  date  thereof.  The  said  Electrical  Inspector  shall 
assess  and  receive  the  fees  for  the  inspection  of  all  other  works  (such 
as  the  Inspection  of  wiring,  apparatus,  machinery  or  structures  previ- 
ously erected  and  passed  on,  but  in  need  of  other  inspection)  and 
issue  his  receipt  therefor  in  triplicate.  He  shall  pay  said  fee  into 
the  City  Treasury  daily  with  the  original  voucher  or  certificate  there- 
for, and  present  a copy  to  the  owner  or  party  whose  premises  or  prop- 
erty has  been  served,  and  shall  retain  a copy  for  his  own  records ; 
and  the  owners  of  all  electric  signs  and  similar  structures  shall  be 
entitled  to  a certificate  from  the  Inspector  stating  that  such  signs  or 
structures  comply  with  these  ordinances  before  final  settlement,  with 
the  contractor. 

Idem. 

624.  The  Hational  Electric  Code  rules  are  hereby  adopted  as  a 
standard  by  which  all  wires  for  light,  heat  and  power  purposes  shall 
be  installed. 

Idem. 

625.  (a)  All  new  wiring  and  additions  to  old  wiring  requiring 
one  or  more  new  circuits  shall  he  run  in  rigid  iron  conduit,  armored 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


207 


cable  or  metal  moulding  within  the  limits  of  the  First  Zone,  and  in 
all  other  sections  of  the  City,  residences  and  outhouses  alone  ex- 
cepted. 

(b)  No  person,  firm  or  corporation  shall  cause  any  wiring  for 
light,  heat,  or  power  purposes  to  be  covered  up,  or  in  any  manner  be 
concealed  until  such  wiring  has  been  duly  inspected  and  a notice 
posted  to  the  effect  that  the  wiring  has  been  approved.  The  Inspector 
must  approve  or  disapprove  work  installed  within  forty-eight  hours 
after  a written  notice  for  such  inspection. 

Idem. 

626.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person,  firm  or  corporation  to 
place  any  furnace  pipe,  water,  gas  or  sewer  pipe,  or  any  dangerous 
material  in  contact  with  any  electrical  apparatus  or  wires,  or  cause 
such  apparatus  or  wires  to  be  cut,  disconnected  or  disarranged  in 
any  manner  without  first  notifying  the  Electrical  Inspector  in  writ- 
ing. It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person,  firm  or  corporation  to 
furnish  or  connect  an  electric  current  to  the  wiring  on  any  building 
or  structure,  whether  on  the  interior  or  exterior  of  such  building  or 
structure  until  said  wires  are  first  duly  inspected  and  a written  per- 
mit issued,  allowing  current  to  be  supplied. 

Idem. 

627.  Temporary  Certificates. — If  the  Electrical  Inspector  or  his 
qualified  representatives  shall  be  unable  to  inspect  any  electrical  work 
within  twenty-four  hours  after  notice  of  its  completion,  he  may  issue 
a temporary  permit  allowing  current  to  be  turned  on  pending  the 
inspection  of  such  work. 

Idem. 

628.  1.  All  dynamos,  motors,  wires  or  other  machinery,  appara- 
tus or  material  used  for  electrical  purposes  which  may  at  any  time 
become  defective  as  to  be  likely,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Inspector,  to 
cause  fires  or  accidents,  or  endanger  persons  or  property,  it  shall 
be  condemned  by  the  Inspector,  when,  in  his  opinion,  it  is  deemed 
necessary. 

2.  In  order  to  prevent  such  accident  or  dangers,  said  Inspector 
is  hereby  authorized  to  disconnect  such  wires  or  apparatus  or  to 
cause  the  same  to  be  disconnected  from  service;  and  upon  such  con- 
demnation, the  person  or  persons  owning  or  using  the  same  shall 
immediately  cause  the  same  to  be  put  in  a safe  condition.  In  case 
any  person  or  persons  owning  or  using  any  electric  wires,  dynamos, 


208 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


motors,  or  other  electrical  apparatus,  structure  or  material  of  any 
nature  whatsoever,  which  have  been  condemned  by  the  Electrical  In- 
spector, shall  fail  to  have  the  same  put  in  safe  condition  and  accepted 
by.  the  said  Inspector  within  forty-eight  hours  after  the  same  has 
been  condemned,  or  within  such  other  reasonable  time  as  shall  he 
prescribed  by  the  said  Inspector. 

3.  Then,  it  shall  he  the  duty  of  said  Electrical  Inspector  to  re- 
move the  fuses,  cut  the  wires,  or  by  other  means  completely  discon- 
nect, or  cause  to  he  disconnected,  the  condemned  wires,  apparatus 
or  material  from  the  source  of  electrical  energy. 

4.  And  when  any  electric  wires,  dynamos,  motors  or  electrical 
apparatus  or  material  of  any  nature  whatsoever  have  been  in  any 
manner  disconnected  and  rendered  inoperative  by  the  Electrical  In- 
spector, as  set  forth  in  the  foregoing  provisions,  it  shall  he  unlawful 
for  any  person  or  persons  to  in  any  manner  re-connect  the  same  or 
cause  the  same  to  he  re-connected  to  any  source  of  electrical  energy, 
or  to  use  the  same  as  a part  of  any  electrical  system,  until  they  have 
been  put  in  safe  condition  and  certificate  of  acceptance  has  been 
issued  by  the  Electrical  Inspector. 

Idem. 


PART  L. 


Inspections  of  Boilers  and  Elevators. 

629.  Office  and  Duties  of  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators. 

1.  That  the  office  of  Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector  is  hereby 
created.  His  salary  shall  he  $1,500.00'  per  annum,  payable  as  pro- 
vided by  ordinance. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  788.  Approved  July  13,  1916. 

He  shall  give  bond  in  the  sum  of  two  thousand  ($2,000.00)  dol- 
lars, with  surety  thereon,  signed  by  an  indemnity  insurance  company 
authorized  to  transact  business!  in  the  State  of  Tennessee,  conditioned 
that  said  officer  will  faithfully  discharge  the  duties  that  are  now  or 
may  hereafter  be  imposed  upon  him,  and  all  liability  that  may  accrue 
by  reason  of  his  office.  Said  bond  shall  be  approved  by  the  Board  of 
Commissioners  as  provided  by  charter. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  916.  Approved  Eeb.  13,  1917. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


209 


The  Boiler  and'  Elevator  Inspector  shall  be  elected  by  the 
Board  of  Commissioners  and  shall  be  nominated  by  the  Commis- 
sioner of  Fire,  Sprinkling  and  Building  Inspection,  and  is  under 
his  supervision  and  control. 

Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspections. 

2.  The  fees  for  boiler  and  elevator  inspections  shall  be  as  follows : 


Boilers  for  power  purposes  up  to  40  h.p $2.00 

Boilers  for  power  purposes  over  40  h.p 3.00 

Permits  for  erection  and  installation  up  to  40  h.p 50 

Permits  for  erecting  or  installation  over  40  h.p 1.00 

Heating  furnaces,  for  inspection 50 

Heating  furnaces,  for  permit,  each 1.00 

Bake  ovens,,  for  inspection 50 

Bake  ovens,  for  permits,  each 1.00 

Elevators,  passenger,  for  inspection 1.50 

Elevators,  passenger,  for  permit  . 50 

Elevators,  freight,  for  inspection  . . . 1.50 

Elevators,  freight,  for  permit 50 

Electric  motors  for  elevators,  inspection 50 

Electric  motors  for  elevators,  for  permit 50 

Steam  heating  boilers  over  40-lip.  or  subject  to  over  15  pounds 

pressure  to  the  square  inch,  inspection  fee 2.00 

Permit  fee 50 


Steam  heating  boilers  and  plants  for  flats  or  apartment  houses 
with  not  more  than  three  suits  of  rooms  each,  and  for  private 
residences,  not  subject  to  more  than  15  pounds  pressure  per 


square  inch,  inspection 50 

Permits  50 

Other  steam  heating  boilers  and  plants  as  used  in  apartments  of 
more  than  three  suits  of  rooms  and  subject  to  not  over  15 

pounds  pressure  to  the  square  inch,  inspection 1.00 

Permit  fee 50 

Fees  for  permits  and  all  inspection  of  alterations  and  recon- 
struction of  any  item  will  be  the  same  as  for  erection,  in- 
stallation, or  annual  inspection. 

Fees  for  special  inspection  upon  request  will  be  the  same  as  for 
annual  or  regular  inspection. 


3.  The  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators  upon  receipt  of  money 
for  inspection  fees  shall  promptly  deliver  to  every  owner  or  user 


210 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


of  any  boiler,  certificates  of  inspection  of  a boiler  inspected  by  him 
or  by  his  assistant ; every  such  certificate  of  inspection  shall  be  prop- 
erly filled  in  as  herein  provided,  and  signed  by  said  Inspector,  and 
said  certificates  of  inspection  shall  be  displayed  in  some  prominent 
place  near  where  the  boilers  are  used. 

4.  The  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators  shall  make  weekly 
returns  to  the  Comptroller  of  all  moneys  collected,  giving  the  names 
of  the  steam  users  from  whom  collected. 

5.  The  engineers,  engines  and  boilers  of  the  Fire  Department 
and  locomotive  boilers  used  on  railroads  are  exempt  from  the  pro- 
visions of  this  ordinance. 

6.  The  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators  shall  devote  the  whole 
of  his  time  and  attention  to  the  duties  of  his  office. 

7.  He  shall  carefully  inspect  and  test  every  stationary  boiler  and 
steam  generating  apparatus  under  pressure  used  for  stationary  power, 
or  heating  as  provided  by  this  ordinance,  including  all  attachments 
and  connections,  located  within  the  City,  at  least  once  annually. 

8.  He  shall  keep  a complete  and  accurate  record  of  the  names 
of  all  owners  or  users  of  steam  boilers,  or  warm  air  or  other  furnaces, 
giving  a full  description  of  the  boilers  and  furnaces  inspected  by 
him,  and  the  amount  of  pressure  allowed  and  the  date  when  last 
tested. 

9.  He  shall  notify  all  owners  or  users  of  boilers  of  the  time  when 
a re-inspection  and  a test  will  be  made,  at  least  ten  days  before  the 
expiration  of  each  certificate  of  inspection,  and  appoint  a day  on 
which  he  will  make  a re-inspection. 

10.  The  said  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators  shall  make 
monthly  reports  to  the  said  Commissioner  of  Eire,  Sprinkling  and 
Building  Inspection. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  788.  Approved  July  13,  1916. 

630.  Manner  of  Inspection.  Certificate. 

1.  The  manner  of  inspection  shall  be  substantially  as  follows: 

2.  The  owners  of  steam  boilers  and  users  shall  have  the  option 

of  taking  the  hammer  test  or  the  hydrostatic  test ; if  the  hammer 
test  be  asked  for,  the  examination  shall  be  thorough  and  searching  on 
every  part  of  the  boiler,  both  internally  and  externally,  including  all 
fittings  and  attachments.  / 

3.  If  the  hydrostatic  test  be  asked  for,  each  boiler  shall  be  tested 
by  the  hydraulic  pressure  one-fourth  greater  than  the  ordinary  work- 


NASHYILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


211 


ing  steam  pressure  used,  and  the  certificate  of  inspection  herein  pro- 
vided shall  state  the  maximum  pressure  at  which  any  boiler  may  be 
worked. 

4.  In  case  a defect  shall  be  discovered  in  any  boiler  or  attach- 
ment thereto,  the  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators  shall  report  the 
same  to  the  owners  or  users  of  said  boiler  or  boilers,  and  state  the 
facts  of  the  case  in  writing,  giving  a description  of  the  particular 
locality  in  which  each  defect  may  be  found,  and  whether  of  a dan- 
gerous character  and  necessitating  immediate  repair. 

5.  If  the  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators  shall  at  any  time 
find  a boiler  which,  in  his  judgment,  is  unsafe,  after  inspecting  same, 
he  shall  condemn  its  further  use. 

6.  All  boilers  to  be  tested  by  the  hydrostatic  pressure  shall  be 
filled  with  water  by  the  owners  or  users,  and  they  shall  furnish  the 
necessary  labor  required,  to  work  and  handle  the  pumps  in  applying 
the  tests. 

7.  When  leaks  occur  which  prevent  a successful  test,  the  Inspector 
of  Boilers  and  Elevators  shall  make  a second  test  upon  receiving 
notice  that  all  leaks  have  been  repaired. 

8.  If,  upon  making  a second  test,  the  boiler  or  boilers  are  still 
defective,  he  shall  not  give  a certificate  until  fully  satisfied  of  the 
safety  of  the  boiler  or  boilers. 

9.  All  certificates  of  inspection  shall  be  for  one  year  and  no 
longer. 

10.  Any  ow*ner  or  user  of  any  boiler  or  boilers  insured  by  any 
steam  inspection  and  insurance  company  duly  authorized  to  transact 
busines  in  the  City  of  Hashville,  shall  upon  his  request  have  the 
hydrostatic  test  applied  once  annually,  by  the  Boiler  Inspector,  as 
provided  in  this  ordinance.  - 

Board1  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 

Idem. 

631.  That  it  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  stationary  engineer  in 
the  City  of  Hashville  to  neglect  or  refuse  to  comply  with  the  orders 
and  directions  of  the  Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector  given  under  the 
authority  of  the  ordinances  of  the  City,  and  that  any  violation  there- 
of shall  be  deemed  a misdemeanor,  and  such  person  shall,  upon  con- 
viction thereof,  be  fined  as  provided  in  said  Ordinance  Ho.  759. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  900.  Approved  Jan.  12,  1917. 

Idem. 


212 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


632.  Inspection  of  Boilers. 

1.  All  owners  or  users  of  any  stationary  boilers,  or  steam  generat- 
ing apparatus  under  pressure  shall  have  the  same  inspected  and  tested 
as  herein  provided,  before  and  while  being  used,  and  at  least  once 
a year  thereafter ; and  for  every  neglect  or  refusal  to  have  such  in- 
spection and  test  they  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a misdemeanor,  and 
upon  conviction  thereof,  shall  be  fined  as  herein  provided. 

2.  On  the  written  application  of  any  owner  or  user  of  a steam 
boiler  or  boilers,  or  steam  generating  apparatus,  duly  countersigned 
by  the  boiler  inspector  of  any  steam  boiler  inspection  and  insurance 
company,  which  is  authorized  to  transact  business  as  herein  provided, 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators, 
upon  the  receipt  of  such  application,  to  inspect  the  boiler  or  boilers 
of  any  such  owner  or  user  making  such  application,  by  the  hammer 
test;  and  the  Boiler  Inspector  shall,  after  performing  the  duty,  give 
the  said  owner,  or  user  a certificate  of  inspection  as  required  by  this 
ordinance  and  the  said  inspection  and  certificate  shall  be  valid  and 
accepted  as  in  full  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  this  ordinance. 

4.  In  addition  to  the  above,  each  steam  boiler  inspection  and 
insurance  company  doing  business  under  the  provisions  of  this 
ordinance  shall  make  a semi-annual  report  to  the  Inspector  of 
Boilers  and  Elevators  of  all  boilers  inspected  by  the  respective 
companies  on  the  first  day  of  January  and  July  of  each  year,  on 
blanks  to  be  furnished  by  the  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators, 
and  such  blanks  shall  contain  the  same  requirements  as  those  used 
by  the  Inspector. 

5.  If  owners  or  users  of  steam  boilers,  or  engineers  in  charge 
of  the  same,  shall  carry  a greater  pressure  than  is  allowed  in  the 
certificate  of  inspection  granted  by  the  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Ele- 
vators, they,  or  either  of  them,  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a mis- 
demeanor and  upon  conviction  thereof,  shall  be  fined  as  herein  pro- 
vided and  in  the  case  of  an  engineer,  his  license  shall  be  revoked. 

6.  Or  if  such  owners  or  users  shall  use  any  boiler  which  has 
been  condemned  as  unsafe  by  the  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators, 
they  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a misdemeanor,  and  on  conviction 
thereof  shall  be  fined  as  herein  provided. 

Board  of  Commissioners,  Ord.  759.  Approved  June  7,  1916. 

Idem. 

633.  The  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators  shall  promptly  de- 
liver to  every  owner  or  user  of  any  boiler,  certificates  of  inspection 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


213 


of  the  boilers  inspected  by  him  or  by  his  assistant;  every  such  cer- 
tificate of  inspection  shall  be  properly  made  up  as  herein  provided, 
and  signed  by  said  Boiler  Inspector. 

2.  Said  certificate  of  inspection  shall  be  displayed  in  some  prom- 
inent place  near  where  the  boilers  are  used. 

Idem. 

634.  Exemptions. — The  engineers,  engines  and  boilers  of  the 
Fire  Department,  and  the  locomotive  boilers  used  on  railroads,  are 
exempt  from  the  provisions  of  this  ordinance. 

Idem. 

635.  Boiler  Inspector  s Certificate  to  be  Posted. 

1.  Any  steam  user  failing  to  place  or  put  in  a conspicuous  place 
in  the  engine  room  or  boiler  house,  the  Boiler  Inspector’s  certificate 
shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction  there- 
of, shall  be  fined  as  herein  provided. 

2.  Upon  any  owner  or  user  of  a boiler  refusing  to  obtain  a cer- 
tificate of  inspection  as  provided  for  in  this  ordinance,  it  shall  then 
become  the  duty  of  the  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators  to  at  once 
draw  the  fire  under  the  said  boiler  and  not  permit  its  further  use 
until  the  said  certificate  is  duly  obtained  as  required  in  this  ordinance. 

Idem. 

636.  Duties  of  Owners  and  Users  of  Boilers. 

Before  any  owner,  owners  or  users  of  steam  boiler  or  boilers 
shall  have  said  boiler  or  boilers  placed  in  position,  he  or  they  shall 
notify  the  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators,  who  shall  examine  the 
same,  and  satisfy  himself  that  the  construction,  material,  bracing  and 
all  other  parts  of  the  boiler  or  boilers  are  such  as  to  assure  the  safety 
of  the  same.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  the  owner  or  user  of  any 
steam  boiler  that  requires  repairs  to  notify  the  Inspector  of  Boilers 
and  Elevators,  who  shall  satisfy  himself  that  the  repairs  made  will 
assure  the  safety  of  said  boiler  or  boilers. 

Idem. 

637.  Any  violation  of  the  provisions  of  this  section  shall  be  con- 
sidered a misdemeanor,  punishable  by  a fine  as  herein  provided. 

Idem. 

638.  Code. — The  Code  of  the  American  Society  of  Mechanical 
Engineers  is  hereby  adopted  as  a standard  of  rules  and  regulations 
for  the  manufacture  and  use  of  boilers  within  the  City  of  Nashville, 
Tenn. 

Idem. 


214 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


639.  Boilers  to  Have  Plugs . 

1.  All  bailers  shall  have  inserted  in  them  plugs  of  brass,  filled 
with  banca  tin,  a follows : All  cylinder  boilers  with  flues  shall  have 
one  plug  inserted  in  one  flue  of  each  boiler ; and  also  one  plug  in  the 
shell  of  each  boiler,  as  follows : 

2.  All  plugs  in  shells  shall  have  an  external  diameter  of  not  less 
than  that  of  one-inch  gas  pipe  screw  tap,  and  an  internal  opening  of 
not  less  than  one-half  inch  in  smallest  opening,  all  plugs  to  be  in- 
serted in  shell  from  inside,  on  second  sheet  from  forward  end,  one 
inch  above  flues ; all  plugs  to  be  inserted  in  flues  not  more  than  three 
feet  from  after  end,  all  plugs  to  be  inserted  in  flues  to  have  an  ex- 
ternal diameter  of  that  of  a three-fourths  gas  pipe  screw  tap,  and  an 
internal  opening  of  one-half  inch  except  flues  or  tubes  of  six  inches 
or  less,  when  plugs  may  be  used  with  an  external  diameter  of  that 
of  three-eighths  gas  pipe  screw  tap,  with  an  internal  opening  of  one- 
fourth  of  an  inch. 

3.  The  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators  shall  have  power  to 
have  one  plug  placed  in  each  boiler  not  provided  for  in  this  ordinance, 
as  he  may  deem  necessary  for  the  safety  of  lives  and  property  and  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  inspectpr  to  see  that  such  plugs  are  filled  with 
banca  tin  at  each  inspection. 

Idem. 

640.  Furnace  or  Boiler  Rooms.  Ho  warm  air  furnace,  or  low 
pressure  steam  hot  water-vapor  or  other  heating  plant  shall  be  in- 
stalled in  a room  with  open  joist  ceilings  above  same,  except  such 
joist  and  ceiling  is  fireproofed,  provided  that  such  fireproofing  may 
be  left  out  if  there  be  24  inches  or  more  of  clearance  above  such  fur- 
nace or  boiler,  and  the  smoke  pipes  thereof. 

Idem. 

641.  Warm  Air  Furnaces , Vapor  Systems  and  Low  Pressure 
Steam  or  Hot  Water  Heating  Boilers. 

1.  All  furnaces  (or)  boilers  of  the  above  class  shall  be  set  on  a 
secure  incombustible  foundation. 

2.  Clearance  at  sides  and  backs  between  furnace  and  combustible 
wall  and  (or)  partition  shall  not  be  less  than  five  feet  and  clearance 
at  front  not  less  than  six  feet. 

3.  Clearance  above  such  boilers  or  furnaces  shall  not  be  less  than 
two  feet  to  combustible  ceiling  or  to  under  side  of  ceiling  joists  un- 
less an  approved  metal  shield  intervenes,  when  such  clearance  may  be 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


215 


not  less  than  thirteen  inches.  An  approved  shield  shall  he  con- 
structed of  not  less  than  24  B & S gauge  galvanized  iron  securely 
riveted  together  and  reinforced  at  all  edges  by  suitable  angle  irons 
not  less  than  %x%inch ; or  similar  strengthening  if  approved  by  the 
Inspector;  this  shield  must  be  .'suspended  three  inches  below  the  ceil- 
ing by  lag  screws  or  other  approved  metal  hangers.  The  shield  must 
project  on  all  sides  at  least  one  foot  beyond  all  outer  sides  and  sur- 
face or  furnace  or  boiler.  Provided  that  where  ceilings  of  metal  lath 
and  cement  plaster  are  installed  the  above  shield  may  be  left  off. 

4.  All  furnace  tops  shall  have  rim  extending  at  least  two  inches 
above  the  top  of  casing  or  other  satisfactory  receptacle,  and  such  space 
within  the  rim  shall  be  filled  with  sand. 

Idem. 

642.  Smoke  Pipes  and  Protections. — Smokepipe  connecting  the 
furnace  with  flue  or  chimney  shall  be  made  of  not  less  than  22  B.  & 
S.  gauge  galvanized  iron  and  shall  not  be  nearer  than  thirty  inches 
to  combustible  ceiling  or  under  side  of  joists  at  point  of  leaving  fur- 
nace or  boiler  and  not  nearer  than  eighteen  inches  at  point  of  entry 
into  flue  or  chimney. 

The  distance  in  this  section  may  each  be  reduced  six  inches  when 
a metal  shield  extending  one  foot  beyond  the  outer  edge  of  the  smoke- 
pipe  on  each  side  is  i constructed  and  installed  as  required  for  fur- 
naces such  shield  to  continuously  extend  from  point  where  smokepipe 
] eaves  furnace  or  boiler  to  the  chimney  or  flue. 

Idem. 

643.  Warm-air  Pipes. — All  pipes  for  the  conveyance  of  warm  air 
shall  be  of  bright  tin  or  galvanized  iron.  The  main  leads  of  said  pipes 
shall  leave  the  furnace  not  less  than  18  inches  below  the  line  of  beams 
or  ceilings,  and  have  a gradual  incline  upward  to  not  less  than  two 
inches  of  beams  or  ceiling  at  junction  with  the  outlets  to  register 
boxes  in  floors  or  connections  to  wall  pipes. 

All  main  leader  pipes  and  junctions,  and  the  riser  pipes  in  walls 
shall  be  covered  with  one  thickness  of  asbestos  covering. 

All  lath  work  for  plaster  on  walls  enclosing  such  pipes  shall  be 
expanded  metal  and  contact  with  wood  or  other  combustibles  is  pro- 
hibited in  all  classes  of  warm  air  pipes,  but  a space  of  at  least  % inch 
shall  be  maintained  between  same. 

Idem. 


216 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


644.  Hot  -air  Register. 

1.  All  hot-air  registers  hereafter  placed  in  the  floor  of  any  build- 
ing shall  be  set  in  iron  borders  not  less  than  two  inches  in  width. 

2.  There  shall  be  an 'open  space  of  at  least  one  inch  on  all  sides 
of  the  register  box,  extending  from  the  under  side  of  the  ceiling  below 
the  register  to  the  border  of  the  floor. 

3.  The  outside  of  said  space  where  there  is  woodwork  shall  be 
covered  with  asbestos  % inch  made  tight,  and  to  extend  from  the 
under  side  of  the  ceiling  up  to  the  under  side  of  said  border. 

4.  The  Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector  shall  not  issue  a permit  for 
such  installation,  repairing  or  renewal  of  a warm  air  heating  plant  un- 
til he  has  carefully  inspected  the  plans,  specifications  or  description 
thereof  and  that  the  same  are  and  are  intended  to  comply  with  the 
ordinances  relative  thereto. 

5.  The  Contractor  shall  notify  the  Inspector  and  inspections  of 
new  work  shall  be  made  as  follows : When  such  work  has  proceeded 
to  where  the  boiler  or  furnace  has  been  set,  and  again  when  stacks  to 
upper  floors  and  heads  for  all  registers  have  been  installed,  and  boots 
have  been  connected  and  when  the  job  is  completed. 

6.  Upon  finding  that  the  works  are  lawfully  constructed  the  In- 
spector shall  affix  to  the  boiler  or  furnace  and  to  each  stack  or  regis- 
ter head,  a certificate  stating  that  the  work  complies  with  the  ordi- 
nances relating  thereto. 

7.  Inspection  of  repaired  or  renewed  work  shall  be  made,  in  each 
case,  as  the  nature  of  the  work  shall  require. 

8.  Final  inspection  of  plant  shall  be  made  after  the  whole  is  con- 
nected up  and  ready  to  operate,  but  before  any  fire  has  been  started. 

9.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person  to  lath  over,  plaster  or 
cover  iip  any  warm  air  heating  work  installed  in  any  newly  con- 
structed building  before  such  work  has  been  inspected  and  certificates 
above  referred  to  have  been  attached. 

10.  The  Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector  or  his  assistant  shall  have 
the  right  and  authority  to  condemn  any  works  or  order  removed  all 
such  lath,  plaster  or  other  covering  which  have  been  placed  over  such 
work  of  an  unlawful  nature  by  the  plasterer  or  any  other  person  what- 
soever. 

11.  The  person,  firm  or  corporation  ordering  or  causing  such 
work  to  be  covered  up  as  herein  set  forth,  shall,  upon  conviction  be 
subject  to  the  penalties  set  forth  for  violations  of  the  terms  of  this 
ordinance. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


217 


12.  No  heating  permits  shall  be  required  for  minor  repair  work. 
(By  minor  work  is  meant  for  incidental  repairs  to  furnaces,  which 
shall  not  affect  the  general  action  of  the  system,  such  as  renewal  of 
grates,  smoke  pipes,  etc.,)  but  where  stacks  are  renewed  or  installed, 
or  where  additional  registers  are  installed,  or  where  other  work  is 
done  that  would  require  inspection  under  the  terms  of  this  section, 
a permit  shall  be  required  and  taken  out. 

Idem. 

645.  Elevators. 

1.  All  elevators  installed  or  altered  on  or  after  approval  of  this 
ordinance  shall  conform  with  these  regulations,  except  that  in  cases 
where  contracts  for  the  installation  of  new'  elevators,  or  the  altera- 
tion of  existing  elevators,  have  been  made  prior  thereto,  the  same  may 
be  made  to  conform  to  the  regulations  now  in  force,  'provided,  how- 
ever, that  notice  of  such  contracts  made  prior  to  approval  of  this 
ordinance  shall  be  sent  to  the  Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector  before 
that  date. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators 
to  regularly  inspect  all  elevators  used  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
passengers  or  freight  semi-annually.  The  result  of  such  inspection 
shall  be  properly  recorded  in  books  kept  for  that  purpose  in  the  office 
of  the  Inspector  of  Boilers  and  Elevators,  from  which  place  all  no- 
tices, certificates,  etc.,  shall  be  issued. 

(a)  Working  plans  and  specifications  for  all  layouts  for  eleva- 
tors and  other  appliances  covered  by  this  ordinance  must  be  submit- 
ted to  the  Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector’s  office  for  approval  in  ad- 
vance of  any  work  being  done  in  connection  with  the- building  of 
same.  These  plans  should  accompany  applications  for  permit. 

(b)  Any  installation  must  not  be  turned  over  for  operation  for 
service  until  final  certificate  of  approval  has  been  issued  by  the 
Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector. 

(c)  No  departure  from  approved  plans  shall  be  made  in  install- 
ing elevators  or  other  appliances  covered  by  this  ordinance,  nor  shall 
any  change  be  made  in  existing  installations,  without  consent  of  the 
Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector. 

(d)  Nothing  in  this  section  shall  prevent  any  owner  or  his  agent 
from  making  the  ordinary  repairs  for  maintenance,  or  prevent  him 
from  making  repairs  at  once  when  needed. 

3.  Hatchways. — On  all  future  installations  the  hatchways  shall 
be  so  constructed  that  the  inside  surface  which  comes  in  front  of  the 


218 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


opening,  or  door  of  the  car,  shall  be  flush.  Where  projecting  thresh- 
olds are  used,  they  shall  he  beveled  sufficiently  on  their  under  side. 
Nothing  in  this  section  shall  apply  to  the  hatchways  of  elevators 
located  in  manufacturing  plants,  warehouses,  or  stores,  which  are 
used  for  the  transportation  of  freight,  provided  same  are  protected 
by  automatic  hatchway  doors. 

4.  Overhead  Supports,  Elevator  Guides,  Etc. — All  guides  for 
passenger  elevators  must  he  of  steel.  All  supports  for  overhead 
sheaves  or  machines  for  passenger  elevators  must  be  of  steel,  and  the 
same  must  be  supported  by  steel  or  masonry  work  from  the  base  of 
the  building.  The  same  requirements  for  guides  and  overhead  sup- 
ports apply  to  all  freight  elevators  with  a car  platform  area  of  more 
than  sixteen  square  feet  where  same  are  operated  by  steam,  hydraulic 
or  electric  power.  Steel  guides  for  cars  with  platform  area  of  less 
than  sixteen  square  feet  may  be  built  of  lighter  material  than  that 
required  for  passenger  service,  but  shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of 
the  Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector,  or  may  have  wood  guides  not  less 
than  2x2^4:,  end  match,  put  in  with  lag  screws  or  bolts,  and  wooden 
guide  posts  for  the  counterbalance  as  well  as  for  the  car.  Wooden 
counterweight  boxes  will  not  be  permitted. 

5.  Overhead  and  Pit  Clearance. 

(a)  On  all  electric  elevators  a clear  space  of  not  less  than  3 feet 
must  be  provided  between  the  top  of  the  car  cross-head  and  the  lowest 
point  of  the  overhead  work,  and  a depth  of  pit  not  less  than  three 
feet  below  the  lowermost  car  landing. 

(b)  All  passenger  elevators  shall  be  provided  with  cushion  spring 
bumpers  of  type  approved  by  the  Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector,  at 
least  12  inches  in  height,  resting  on  a steel  frame  work  secured  to 
the  guides,  or  in  the  pit  forming  the  bottom  of  the  shaft,  the  car 
frame  being  arranged  with  steel  striking  plates  to  meet  the  bumpers. 
On  elevators  of  the  traction  type,  these  bumpers  are  to  be  of  the  oil 
type  with  spring  return,  the  stroke  of  the  bumper  plunger  to  be  not 
less  than  12  inches 

6.  Overhead  Protection. — All  hatchways  shall  be  protected  at  the 
top,  above  the  clearance  line  and  under  the  overhead  mechanism,  with 
a screen  or  (floor)  of  sufficient  strength  to  bear  a weight  of  not  less 
than  fifty  pounds  per  square  foot,  and  constructed  so  as  to  prevent 
anything  dropping  down  the  hatchway. 

7.  Passenger  Elevator  Enclosures. — All  passenger  elevators  shall 
be  protected  on  the  front  the  full  width  of  the  door  in  the  car  from 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


219 


the  floor  to  the  ceiling  on  each  floor,  excepting  the  top  landing  where 
the  height  of  the  front  shall  he  not  less  than  seven  feet  and  six  inches. 
On  all  sides  excepting  the  front,  the  enclosure  shall  extend  to  a height 
of  not  less  than  seven  feet  and  six  inches  above  the  floor. 

Where  enclosure  is  of  grille  work,  no  greater  space  than  one  and 
one-half  inches  square  shall  he  permitted;  or  if  rods  are  used,  they 
shall  he  vertical,  and  spaces  between  sides  of  rods  shall  not  exceed 
one  and  one-half  inches. 

8.  Hatchway  Doors  to  Passenger  Elevators. — All  hatchway  doors 
to  passenger  elevators  shall  be  hung  on  substantial  hangers  of  ap- 
proved type.  Doors  shall  he  properly  guided  at  the  bottom  and  fitted 
with  substantial  locks  so  that  they  cannot  be  opened  from  the  landing 
side  except  by  means  of  a key.  This  does  not  apply  to  elevator  equip- 
ped with  automatic  door-closing  devices  of  type  approved  by  the 
Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector. 

9.  Counterweight  Protection. — Where  the  counterweights  of  an 
elevator  travel  on  an  exposed  side  of  the  hatchway,  they  shall  be  pro- 
tected the  full  height  of  their  travel  by  a solid  screen  or  metal,  or  by 
wire  mesh  with  openings  not  greater  than  one-half  inch  square.  Ho 
counterweights  shall  be  located  so  that  they  will  pass  an  entrance  to 
any  hatchway. 

10.  Passenger  Elevator  Cars. 

(a)  Passenger  elevator  cars  shall  be  built  of  fireproof  material 
throughout,  with  the  exception  of  the  flooring,  and  this  must  be  com- 
pletely covered  with  metal  on  its  under  side.  When  the  cage  is  con- 
structed of  other  than  solid  material,  and  where  the  counterweights 
pass  the  car  at  a distance  of  less  than  two  feet,  the  side  of  the  car 
next  to  counterweights  shall  be  solid  or  be  protected  by  a screen  of 
fine  mesh  wire,  the  openings  of  which  shall  be  not  greater  than  one- 
half  inch  square.  Where  cars  are  not  constructed  of  solid  material, 
the  grille  work  shall  conform  to  the  specifications  covering  hatch- 
way enclosures,  as  set  forth  in  paragraph  7. 

(b)  All  elevator  cars  traveling  in  single  enclosed  hatchways  shall 
have  an  emergency  exit  in  the  top  of  canopy  arranged  so  that  it  may 
be  removed  to  provide  an  exit  for  passengers  should  the  car  become 
lodged  between  landings.  Where  cars  travel  in  adjoining  hatchways, 
they  shall  be  provided  with  emergency  exits  at  the  sides  adjacent  to 
each  other  so  as  to  provide  for  the  transfer  of  passengers  from  one  car 
to  the  other. 


220 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAAVS 


(c)  Every  passenger  elevator  with  more  than  one  entrance  to  an 
exit  from  a car  shall  be  provided  with  a sliding  door  on  the  inside  of 
the  car  on  each  such  entrance  or  exit,  and  each  of  such  doors  shall 
he  securely  closed  before  the  elevator  is  put  in  motion. 

11.  Freight  Elevator  Cars.  • 

Freight  elevator  cars  shall  be  protected  on  all  sides  not  used  as 
entrances  with  metal  enclosures  not  less  than  five  feet  above  floor  of 
car.  On  long  cars,  such  as  are  used  in  garages,  a substantial  railing 
not  less  than  three  feet  above  floor  of  car  may  be  used  in  place  of 
enclosure,  but  a solid  enclosure  the  full  width  of  the  counterweights 
and  not  less  than  six  feet  in  height  must  be  used  where  counterweights 
pass  car. 

(a)  The  opening  in  the  hatchways  of  freight  elevators  shall  be 
protected  by  semi-automatic  gates  extending  to  a, height  of  not  less 
than  four  feet  above  the  floor.  This  does  not  include  hatchways  with 
doors  of  approved  type  and  design  where  the  cars  in  such  hatchways 
are  in  charge  of  an  operator. 

12.  Floor  Locks. — All  freight  elevators  shall  be  provided  with  a 
locking  device  by  means  of  which  persons  using  the  elevator  at  any 
floor  can  lock  the  operating  cable  and  prevent  the  starting  of  the  ele- 
vator by  persons  on  another  floor. 

13.  Warning  Chains  on  Freight  Cars. — Warning  chains  shall  be 
suspended  from  the  car  sills  of  power  freight  elevator  cars,  except 
those  of  dumbwaiters,  hatchway  type  elevators  and  sidewalk  type 
elevators  and  except  those  with  landing  doors  opening  from  the  shaft- 
way. 

14.  Every  passenger  and  freight  elevator  car  when  in  use  shall 
be  properly  lighted  by  electricity  or  gas  at  such  times  as  there  is  in- 
sufficient natural  light.  The  lights  may  be  located  in  or  adjacent  to 
the  shaftway  if  the  car  is  lighted  properly  throughout  its  entire 
travel,  or  the  light  may  be  located  in  the  car. 

15.  Windows  in  Hatchways. — Shall  not  be  considered  under  the 
head  of  openings.  All  such  windows  shall  contain  wire  glass  in  fire- 
proof frames  and  sash,  and  shall  be  painted  red  to  indicate  to  firemen 
that  they  are  in  an  elevator  shaft. 

16.  Hoisting  Cables. — Wire  cables  shall  be  used  for  the  hoisting, 
counterweighting  and  operating  of  all  elevators.  The  diameter  of 
these  cables  shall  be  such  as  to  give  a factor  of  safety  of  not  less  than 
seven  to  one  on  all  passenger  elevators,  and  not  less  than  five  to  one 
on  all  freight  elevators,  where  cables  are  used  for  hoisting  or  for 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


221 


counterweights.  Where  cable  is  used  for  operating,  such  cable  shall 
he  of  what  is  known  as  tiller  rope,  and  shall  be  not  less  than  three- 
eights  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  All  elevators  with  cables  winding 
around  drums,  shall  have  not  less  than  two  hoisting  cables.  Where 
a drum-counterweight  alone  is  used,  this  shall  have  two  cables.  Where 
a drum  and  car  counterweight  is  used,  each  counterweight  shall  have 
two  cables,  and  the  drum  weight  must  be  connected  separately  from 
the  car  counterweights  and  below  them. 

(a)  Where  the  drum  weight  cables  pass  the  car  counterweights, 
they  must  be  protected  by  iron  pipe,  or  the  car  counterweight  must 
be  cast  so  as  not  to  chafe  drum  weight  cables. 

(b)  Where  necessary,  all  cables  shall  have  suitable  equalizers  for 
distributing  the  load,  the  ends  of  all  cables  to  be  independently  fas- 
tened in  suitable  sockets,  the  wires  of  the  cables  to  he  looped  and  bab- 
bitted into  sockets  so  that  the  fold  of  the  loop  shall  show  through  the 
babbitt.  Where  cables  are  secured  to  the  elevator  drum,  they  shall 
pass  through  separate  holes  in  surface  of  drum  and  he  secured  on  the 
inside  of  drum  with  suitable  locking  clamps.  Where  cables  are  wound 
on  drum,  not  less  than  one  and  one-half  complete  turns  of  each  cable 
shall  he  permitted  on  drum.  On  traction  machines,  the  total  number 
of  cables  for  hoist  and  counterweights  shall  be  not  less  than  four. 
On  hydraulic  elevators,  with  the  exception  of  elevators  of  the  plunger 
type,  there  shall  be  not  less  than  two  hoisting  cables  and  two  counter- 
weight cables.  Bar  equalizers  for  car  and  counterbalance  for  trac- 
tion elevators  are  not  required;  but  adjustable  shackles  which  readily 
admit  of  adjustment  of  cables  are  to  be  provided.  The  diameter  of 
sheaves  and  drums  over  which  the  hoisting  or  counterweight  cables 
pass,  shall  be  not  less  than  twenty-four  inches. 

17.  Clearance  Between  Car  and  Entrance  Landing. — The  space 
between  the  edge  of  the  car  platform  and  the  threshold  of  any  land- 
ing shall  be  not  greater  than  one  and  one-half  inches. 

18.  Safety  Devices  on  Cars. 

(a)  The  safety  devices  on  all  passenger  elevators  where  the  speed 
is  over  seventy-five  feet  per  minute,  shall  be  mounted  on  independent 
steel  frames  or  girdles  which  shall  be  entirely  independent  from  the 
car  floor  or  enclosing  cab. 

(b)  The  safety  clutches  shall  be  located  under  the  car  platform 
and  attached  to  the  frames  or  girdles,  the  safety  device  to  be  operated 
by  means  of  a speed  governor  which  shall  bring  the  safety  clutches 
into  action  when  the  car  attains  an  excessive  descending  speed, 


222 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


whether  due  to  the  breakage  of  the  cables  or  any  other  cause.  The 
action  of  the  governor  and  safety  clutches  shall  bring  the  car  to  an 
easy  and  gradual  stop  in  a distance  not  to  exceed  eight  feet  from  the 
time  the  safety  is  applied  until  the  car  reaches  a full  stop. 

(c)  ETo  elevator  shall  be  used  for  carrying  of  safes  or  other  ma- 
terial of  a greater  weight  than  the  normal  lifting  power  of  such  ele- 
vator unless  the  car  is  equipped  with  a locking  device  which  shall 
hold  it  fixed  at  any  landing  independent  of  the  rope  while  such  safe 
or  other  material  is  being  loaded  or  unloaded.  The  normal  carrying 
capacity  of  all  passenger  elevators  shall  not  exceed  seventy-five  pounds 
per  square  foot  inside  area  of  platform. 

19.  Safety  Appliances  for  Elevators  Other  than  Above. — All  elec- 
tric elevators  having  a car  speed  of  seventy-five  feet  or  over,  shall  be 
equipped  with  the  following  safety  appliances,  which  are  in  addition 
to  those  specified  in  paragraph  15:  The  brakes  of  all  electric  eleva- 
tors, as  above  specified,  shall  he  electrically  released  during  the  opera- 
tion of  the  elevator,  and  brakes  shall  be  applied  by  spring  pressure 
when  the  current  is  cut  off  either  by  the  operator  or  through  any 
other  cause.  The  construction  of  these  brakes  shall  be  so  that  the 
magnet  or  solenoid  operating  same  shall  he  directly  attached  to  the 
brake  levers  and  shall  not  be  transmitted  through  means  of  shafts, 
gears  or  other  mechanical  devices. 

20.  Terminal  Stops  for  Electric  Elevators. — The  terminal  stops 
of  electric  elevators  shall  be  controlled  both  by  an  automatic  stop  mo- 
tion device  mounted  on  the  machine  (excepting  push-button  and  trac- 
tion elevators)  and  by  substantial  limit  switches  located  in  the  hatch- 
way. These  limit  switches  shall  be  so  arranged  as  to  be  actuated  by 
the  car  itself,  should  it  pass  the  upper  or  lower  terminals  of  its  travel. 
The  operation  of  the  machine  and  hatchway  limits  shall  apply  the 
brake  and  bring  the  car  to  rest  independent  of  the  operator. 

21.  Operating  and  Emergency  Switches. — The  operating  switch 
in  car  shall  automatically  return  to  a stop  position  should  the  opera- 
tor for  any  cause  release  his  hold  on  same,  and  there  shall  be  in  each 
electrically  controlled  elevator  car  an  emergency  switch  located  close 
to  the  operating  switch  by  which  the  operator  can ‘cut  off  current  and 
bring  the  car  to  a stop  should  the  main  operating  switch  fail  from 
any  cause. 

22.  Every  electrically  controlled  elevator  shall  be  provided  at  the 
engine  with  a potential  switch  which  shall- automatically  cut  off  the 
current,  should  the  voltage  drop  below  twenty-five  per  cent,  of  the 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


223 


required  voltage,  or  should  the  current  supply  for  any  cause  be  inter- 
rupted. All  electric  elevators  running  at  a car  speed  of  350  feet  or 
over,  shall  have  a switch  on  the  speed  governor,  so  that  when  the  gov- 
ernor operates  to  stop  the  car  the  switch  shall  operate  to  cut  off  the 
current  supply. 

23.  Slack-cable  Device. — All  hoisting  engines  of  the  drum  type  x 
shall  have  an  automatic  slack-cable  device  which  shall  stop  the  ma- 
chine if  the  hoist  or  drum  weight  cables  should  become  slack  from  any 
cause. 

24.  Controlling  Mechanism  of  Elevators. — -NV)  elevator  which 
runs  at  a car  speed  greater  than  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  feet  per 
minute  shall  be  controlled  by  a hand  shipper  rope,  and  no  elevator 
which  runs  at  a car  speed  of  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  shall 
be  controlled  by  a wheel  or  other  mechanical  device.  This  does  not 
apply  to  hydraulic  elevators  equipped  with  what  is  commonly  known 
as  the  lever  control.  All  electric  elevators  running  at  a car  speed  of 
more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  per  minute  shall  be  controlled 
by  means  of  an  operator’s  switch  in  the  car. 

25.  All  elevators  of  the  direct  plunger  type  shall  be  exempt  from 
the  specifications  of  paragraph  16. 

26.  The  hatchways  of  all  hand  power  elevators  and  dumbwaiters 
which  have  a travel  of  more  than  two  stories  shall  be  of  fireproof  con- 
struction and  provided  with  suitable  doors  and  gates.  The  same  shall 
have  a pit  depth  and  overhead  clearance  of  not  less  than  twelve  inches 
at  each  terminal.  Where  elevators  mentioned  in  this  Section  are 
used  for  stage  lifts,  the  hatchways  may  be  protected  at  the  landing 
with  guard  rails  and  suitable  gates  at  the  entrances. 

27.  Inspection  of  Elevators  in  Regular  Service. — Owners  of  all 
elevators  in  regular  service^  shall  have  them*  inspected  at  least  once 
each  week  by  a competent  person.  Where  such  inspection  shows  any 
elevator  defective,  such  elevator  shall  not  be  used  for  service  until 
proper  repairs  have  been  made  and  report  of  same  made  to  the  Boiler 
and  Elevator  Inspector’s  office. 

28.  Elevator  Installation  Prior  to  Passage  of  this  Ordinance. — 
The  foregoing  provisions  of  this  ordinance  shall  not  apply  to  eleva- 
tors installed  prior  to  the  date  of  its  passage  where  said  elevators  are 
insured  and  inspected  by  a reputable  casualty,  liability  or  surety 
company  licensed  to  do  business  in  the  State  of  Tennessee,  or  where 
they  are  inspected  as  prescribed  in  paragraph  24.  Any  subsequent 
and  material  changes  or  alterations  in  existing  elevator  installations 


224 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


shall  conform  as  far  as  practicable  to  the  requirements  of  this  ordi- 
nance. 

29.  No  signs  of  any  description  shall  be  placed  in  the  car,  with 
the  exception  of  the  annunciator  or  operator’s  signal,  and  no  glass  or 
porcelain  shall  be  attached  to  the  dome  of  the  car,  with  the  exception 
of  the  light  fixtures. 

30.  No  person  under  the  age  of  eighteen  years  shall  operate,  con- 
trol, manage  or  be  in  charge  of  any  elevator.  No  person,  firm  or  cor- 
poration shall  employ  a person  under  the  age  of  eighteen  years  to 
operate,  control,  manage  or  have  charge  of  any  passenger  elevator  in 
the  City  of  Nashville. 

31.  Any  person  operating,  controlling,  managing  or  fin  charge  of 
any  passenger  elevator,  when  the  door  has  been  opened  for  the  re- 
ception of  passengers,  shall  not  start  such  elevator  either  up  or  down 
until  the  door  of  same  has  been  closed  and  fastened,  except  such 
doors  as  are  equipped  with  automatic  operating  devices,  and  when  so 
equipped,  such  cars  may  be  started  when  doors  are  within  not  more 
than  six  inches  of  being  closed  and  in  the  act  of  closing. 

32.  No  person  operating,  managing  or  in  charge  of  any  passen- 
ger elevator  shall  open  the  door  of  same  for  the  purpose  of  discharging 
passengers  therefrom  until  such  elevator  has  been  brought  to  full 
stop  and  be  standing  still. 

Idem. 


PART  LI. 


646.  Duty  of  City  Officers. 

1.  The  enforcement  of  this  ordinance  and  all  other  laws  and 
ordinances  in  force  in  the  City  applicable  to  the  same  subject  matter 
shall  primarily  devolve  upon  the  Building  Inspection  Department, 
the  Electrical  Inspector,  and  the  Boiler  and  Elevator  Inspector. 

2.  But  the  Department  of  Health,  Eire  and  Police  shall  also  be 
charged  with  the  enforcement  of  this  ordinance,  and  shall,  as  far  as 
possible,  act  in  connection  with  the  Building  Inspection  Department. 

3.  But  nothing  herein  shall  be  construed  as  to  exempt  any  other 
officer  or  department  from  the  obligation  of  enforcing  the  provisions 
of  this  ordinance. 

Idem. 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


225 


647.  This  ordinance  is  intended  to  be  a complete  system  of  the 
building  laws  for  the  City  of  Nashville,  however,  it  does  not  and  is 
not  intended  to  include  the  ordinances  regulating  plumbing  and 
smoke  prevention. 

Idem. 

648.  That  the  invalidity  of  any  section,  clause,  or  part  shall  not 
render  the  remainder  of  this  ordinance  invalid. 

Idem. 


PART  LII. 


649.  Fines  and  Penalties. — Any  person,  firm  or  corporation  who 
neglects,  or  refuses  to  comply  with  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  ordi- 
nance shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a misdemeanor  and  upon  conviction 
therefor  shall  be  fined  not  less  than  five  ($5.00)  dollars,  nor  more 
than  fifty  ($50.00)  dollars.  And  the  continued  violation  of  any  pro- 
vision of  this  ordinance  shall  constitute  a separate  offense,  for  each 
and  every  day  such  violation  of  any  provision  hereof  shall  continue. 


•? 


INDEX 


Page 

ADJOINING  PROPERTY — Excavations  affecting 31 

ADMINISTRATION — Of  Department  of  Buildings  9-15,23,224 

AGGREGATE — For  reinforced  concrete 108,109,123,124 

ALLOWABLE — Floor  areas  50-53 

Floor  loads 51 

Column  loads 52 

Fireproof  construction  50-53 

Floor  loads 51,  52 

Non-fireproof  construction  50 

Sidewalk  loads  53 

Strength,  computation  of 53 

ALTERATIONS — To  buildings  in  general 137 

Tenements  to  make  200 

Theatres  to  make 148 

AMENDMENTS— To  plans  107 

ANCHORS — For  corner  blocks  in  shafts 89 

Wooden  beams  and  girders 80 

Brick  walls 39 

APPEALS — Board  and  duties  9, 10 

Decisions  of  Supervisor,  from  9, 10 

APPLICATION— For  permits  11,12 

General  regulations  concerning  same  11-14 

APPROVAL — Of  plans  and  specifications 11-107 

Theatre  required  before  opening 149-168 

APPROVED— Defined  18 

ARCHES — And  lintels  in  walls 49 

Fireproof  floor  construction  99-100 

Trimmer,  in  fireplace  construction 132 

ARCHITECT— Certificate  of  11-107 

AREA  OF  A BUILDING — Defined 19 

AREAS — Allowable  floor  50,  51 

Frame  buildings  139,140 

Lot  occupied 29,  30 

Lot  occupied  by  tenements  195 

Shaft  skylights 88,89 

Stage  ventilators  162 

AREAWAY— Defined 19 

Requirements  for  95 

ASHLAR — Requirements  for  use  of  41 

ASSEMBLY  HALLS — Requirements  for  exits  and  stage 169 

Seating  capacity  based  on  floor  area 169 

ATTIC — Use  restricted  in  frame  buildings 139 


228 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Page 

AWNINGS— Construction  of  191 

Bond  for  191 

Fees  for 14 

Permits  for 14 

Stationary 192 

Wooden  192 

BALCONIES — For  smokeproof  towers  57-59 

Stairway  and  horizontal  exits 60-62 

Theatre  exits 60,155,156 

Wooden,  within  fire  limits  139 

BASEMENT — Defined 19 

Stairways  in  tenements  197 

Stairways  not  to  be  continuous  to 56-197 

BASES  AND  LINTELS— Cast  iron 75 

BAY  WINDOW — Projection  of 95 

BEAMS — Minimum  sizes  for  79,  80 

Reinforced  concrete 111-113 

Separation  from  chimneys  80 

Separation  of  ends  in  4wall 79 

Steel  76 

Wooden  79 

Protection  of  102 

BEARING  CAPACITY  OF  SOIL 33 

BEARINGS — Ends  of  wooden  beams 79 

Under  ends  of  steel  lintels  or  girders 76 

BILLBOARDS  185-190 

Billboard — Defined  19 

BLASTING  AND  DRILLING 203 

BOILER  AND  ELEVATOR— Ordinance  Index 247-248 

BOILERS — Furnaces  for,  protection  around 134,135 

Ladders  to  rooms  for 63 

Permitted  in  theatre  building,  not 163 

Smoke  flues  for 131-134 

Sprinklers  over 146 

BOILER  ROOMS — Enclosures  for  135 

BOARD  OF  APPEALS — How  composed  and  duties 10 

Duties  and  term  of  office 10 

BONDS — For  buildings 16 

Excavation  under  sidewalks 15 

Fences  and  temporary  enclosures  15 

Piling  of  materials  on  streets 15 

Supervisors  of  buildings  9 

Wrecking  or  removal  of 16 

BRICK— Arches  100 

Piers 40 

Quality  and  test  of  64 

Walls  38-40 

BRICKWORK— Bonding  of 39 

Weight  of  69 

Working  stresses  on  70 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


229 


Page 

BUILDING  BLOCKS— Defined 66 

Branded  for  identification 66 

Cement  mortar  filled  67 

Constructed  how 66 

Fire  tests  for  fireproof  buildings 67 

For  foundations  34-141 

For  skeleton  construction  47 

Test  requirements  and  working  stresses  for 66,  67 

Veneered  with  brick  39,  40 

Walls  of,  general  requirements  46 

BUILDING  CODE — All  building  construction  to  conform  to 3 

Enforced  by  Supervisor  of  Buildings,  et  al 224 

Invalidity  of 225 

Provisions  of  remedial  3 

Punishment  for  violations  of 225 

BUILDING— Area  of  defined  19 

Classification  of  24-29 

Condemnation  of 9 

Converting  frame  building  to  store 138 

Damage  to  existing  frame  buildings 138 

Dry  cleaning 176 

Fire  Retarding  Zone  18 

Height  of  defined  21 

Length  of  defined  22 

Limits  of  area  50,  51 

Limits  of  height  49,  50 

Moving  of  buildings 138 

Percentage  to  be  repaired  18 

Raised,  altered,  repaired  or  moved 137,138 

Remodeling  in  fire  limits  137 

Temporary,  within  fire  limits 139 

Type  of  construction  affected  by  height  27,28,49,50,51 

Used  for  business  and  residence 94 

Width  of  defined 24 

Wooden  138 

BULKHEAD — Construction  of  82 

Defined  19 

BUSINESS  BUILDINGS— Used  also  for  residence 94 

When  required  fireproof  28 

CAST  IRON  CONSTRUCTION  73 

Bases  and  lintels  75 

Columns 73 

Quality  and  test  of 68 

Standards  for  68 

CASTSTEEL — Quality  and  test  of 68 

CEILINGS— In  cellars  94 

Non-fireproof  building  for  business  and  residences 94 

CELLAR — Ceilings  in  non-fireproof  buildings  94 

Ceilings  in  tenements  203 

Defined 19 


230 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


CELLAR — Continued.  Page 

Drainage  94 

Exits 62 

Floors 94 

Partitions  94 

Requirements  for  . 94 

Stairways  in  tenements  197 

Use  of  in  tenements 202 

CEMENT — Lime  Mortar  65 

Mortar  65 

Plaster,  defined  19 

Quality  of  65 

Tempered  plaster,  defined  19 

CHASES  AND  RECESSES— In  walls 48 

CHIMNEYS— Construction  of  131-134 

Certificate  of  compliance  by  contractor 131 

Circular,  wind  pressure  on  73 

Lining  of  132 

Mortar  for 132 

Wooden  beams  separated  from  80 

CHURCH  SPIRES— Height  of  wooden  139 

CHUTES — In  fireproof  buildings  89 

In  non-fireproof  buildings 90 

CINDER  CONCRETE— Construction  124 

CLASSIFICATION  OF  BUILDINGS— By  construction 24-29 

Business  buildings,  when  fireproof 28,  29 

Fireproof  construction  26 

Fire  retarding  construction  26 

Frame  construction  25 

Factory  Zone  25 

Mill  construction  26 

Non-fireproof  construction  25 

Occupancy 26 

Ordinary  construction 25 

Public  buildings,  when  fireproof 26 

Residence  buildings,  when  fireproof 27 

COFFEE  ROASTERS — Buildings  for,  when  fireproof 28 

Flues  for 133 

Foundations  for  135 

COLUMNS— Cast  iron  73 

Concrete  reinforced  115-118 

Eccentrically  loaded  72 

Loads  on  52 

Metal,  protection  against  corrison 78-101 

'Metal,  protection  against  fire  101,102,104 

Reinforced  concrete,  construction  of  115,116,118 

Rolled  Steel  75 

Structural  steel  combined  with  concrete 115,116 

Wooden  81-97 

Working  stresses  for  72,73,74 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


231 


Page 

COMPUTATIONS  FOR  WORKING  STRESSES 69 

Condemnation  of  buildings  and  structures 9 

Tenants  to  be  notified 10 

CONCENTRATED  LOAD — At  middle  of  beam 52 

CONCRETE— Arches 100 

Aggregates  35, 108, 123, 124 

Better  class  of  risk  governs  17, 18 

Building  blocks,  tests  of  66,  67 

Building  blocks,  use  of 46,  47 

Conflict  between  special  and  general  provisions  17 

Design  factors  for  special 125 

Fill  126 

Floor  systems  approved  125 

Footings  34, 35 

For  principal  bearing  members 125 

Piles  37, 38 

Protection  for  steel  structural  members 126 

Quality  of  67,  68 

Reinforced  107-126 

Slabs  and  arches  100 

Tie  rods  for  concrete  125 

Weight  of  69 

Working  stresses  on  70,  71 

CORNICES — Projection  of 95 

Fireproof  required,  when  83,  84 

Requirements  for  83,  84 

COURT — Defined 19 

COURTS — Requirements  for  tenements  196-199 

Requirements  for  theatres 157-159 

CURB — Defined 20 

CURTAIN — For  Theatre  159,160 

CURTAIN  WALL— Defined 20 

Height  and  thickness  44,  45 

DANGER  CARDS — When  necessary  to  use 11 

DEAD  LOAD— Defined  20 

DEBRIS — To  be  dampened  18 

DEFINITIONS  18-24 

DEMOLISHING  OR  REMOVAL  OF  BUILDINGS 17 

DISTANCE  FROM  LOT  LINES — Constrolling  protection  of  cornices. . 84 

Frame  buildings  139,140 

DOORS — Automatic  and  self-closing,  defined  45 

Number  and  width  of  53-54 

DRY  CLEANING— Buildings  for  176 

Doors  and  windows  176,177 

Exhausts  176 

Exits  to  open  outward 54 

Fire  extinguishing 177 

Fireproof 176 


232 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


DRY  CLEANING— Continued.  Page 

Fire  tests  for 127 

Heating  177 

Inlets  and  outlets 176 

Lighting 177 

Machinery  for  176-178 

Precautions 178 

Settling  tanks  178 

Skylights  177 

DRAINAGE  OF  FLOORS  99 

DRILLING  AND  BLASTING  203 

DRY  ROOMS  137 

DUCTS— Ventilating  136 

DUMBWAITERS  AND  OTHER  SMALL  SHAFTS  89,  90 

DWELLING — Defined  20 

Floor  loads  for  53 

Thickness  of  walls  for  42 

ELECTRICAL  INSTALLATIONS 204-208 

ELECTRICAL — Ordinance  Index  247 

ELEVATOR  AND  BOILER— Ordinance  Index 247-248 

ELEVATORS — Construction  and  operation  of 208-224 

Enclosures  for 87-89,184,185 

Shaft  ways  about  184, 185 

Location  indicated  by  sign  and  green  light . 55 

Mill  construction  98 

Not  included  in  exit  calculations  55 

ENCLOSURE  WALLS— Shafts  in  fireproof  buildings  87-92,184,185 

Shafts  in  non-fireproof  buildings 90 

Stairway  and  elevator  shafts  in  existing  buildings 91 

Stairway  and  elevator  shafts  in  mill  buildings 96 

ENGINEER— Certificate  of 11-107 

ENGINEER’S  STATIONARY  LADDERS 63 

ESCALATORS — Not  included  in  exit  calculations 55 

Protection  of  87-89 

EXCAVATIONS— Under  sidewalk,  etc 15 

Adjoining  party  walls 32 

Affecting  adjoining  property  31 

Bond  for  15 

Capacity  of  soils,  etc 33,34 

Footings  and  securings  32,  33 

Permit  approved  by  Commissioner  of  Streets,  Sewers  and  Side- 
walks   15 

Properly  guarded  31 

Supervisor  designate  space  15 

Taken  care  of  32 

EXISTING  BUILDINGS — Enclosure  of  stairway  and  elevator  shafts  in  91 

Exits  and  protection  for  63 

Floors  of,  strength  of  to  be  computed  53 

Walls  of  47 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS  233 

Page 

EXITS — Assembly  halls 169 

Emergency  45 

Existing  buildings  60-63 

Fire  exit  partitions  62 

Horizontal 60-62 

Location  indicated  by  sign  and  green  lights 55,60,154,165,168 

Number  and  width  of 53 

Tenements 199 

Theatres  : 152-156, 167, 168 

EXITS  AND  STAIRWAYS— Requirements  for 55-60 

EXTERIOR  WALL  OPENINGS— Protection  of 85-87 

FACTOR  OF  SAFETY  69 

FACTORY— Defined  20 

Construction  required 28 

FACTORY  ZONE— Boundary  of 6-8 

FIBRE  PLASTER  BOARDS— Defined 20 

FEES — For  permits 13, 14 

FILING  PLANS  AND  STATEMENTS  11-107 

FIRE  DOORS— Defined  20-45 

Fire  escapes 58 

Fire  shutters  required  in 85,  86 

Fire-resistive  partitions  and  non-fireproof  buildings 105-106 

Horizontal  exits  • 60-62 

Partitions  in  fireproof  building 105 

Shafts 88-90 

Smokeproof  towers  57 

Test  of 127 

FIRE  ESCAPE — Construction  of  58 

Description  of  57-59 

Penalty  for  non-compliance  60 

Permits  for 14 

Supervisor  to  order  erection  of 59 

Where  to  be  erected  57 

FIRE  EXIT  PARTITION— Defined  20 

Requirements  for  62 

FIRE  LIMITS- -Defined 3-9 

Frame  building  outside  of  139,140 

Frame  building  and  structures  in  138,139 

FIREPLACES — Construction  of 134 

FIREPROOF  DEFINED 21 

FIREPROOF  CONSTRUCTION— Allowable  floor  area  in 51 

Floors 99 

General  requirements  for 98-106 

Limits  of  height  of  51 

Reinforced  concrete  construction  for 107-123 

Roofs  99 

FIREPROOFING — Cornices  84 

Metal  structural  members  in  fireproof  buildings 99-101 

Metal  structural  members  in  non-fireproof  buildings 104 

I 


234 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


FIREPROOFING — Continued.  Page 

Miscellaneous  provisions  103,104 

Tie  rods 99 

Reinforced  concrete  for 123-126 

FIRE  RETARDING  ZONE— Boundary  of 5,  6 

FIRE  SHUTTERS  85,  86 

FIRE  STOPPING— Chimneys 80 

Frame  buildings  141 

Furred  walls  and  partitions 93 

, Pipe  shaft,  ducts  and  chases 93 

Sliding  doors,  wainscoting  and  stairs  93 

Frame  buildings 141 

FIRE  TESTS— Approved  roofing  128 

Doors  and  shutters  127 

Floors  and  partitions  126,127 

Specifications  for  '. . 126 

Stairs  and  elevator  shaft  partition 127 

Windows  127 

FIRE  WALLS— Defined  21 

Fireproof  buildings  in 45 

Maximum  floor  areas  between  50 

Non-fireproof  building  in 45 

Openings  in,  used  for  emergency  exits 45 

Protection  of  openings  in  45 

' Protection  of  when  used  for  emergency  exit 45 

FIRE  WINDOW— Defined  21 

Fireproof  exit  partition  62,63 

Fire  shutters,  also  57 

Protection  of  exit  58-61 

Smokeproof  towers  57 

Restrictions  in  shaft  opening 88 

Tests  for  127 

Walls  required  in 85,  86 

FIRE  RESISTIVE  PARTITIONS 105 

FIRST  ZONE — Boundary  of 5 

FLAG  POLES  190 

FLOOR — Areas  in  fireproof  and  non-fireproof  buildings 50,51 

FLOOR  AREAS — Buildings  of  frame,  in 139, 140 

Capacity  of  horizontal  exit  refuge 60,  61 

Construction,  strength  test  of  128 

Fireproof  buildings  50,  51 

Non-fireproof  buildings 50,  51 

Theatres  151 

Workmanship 128-130 

FLOOR  FIRE  TESTS 126 

Basement  or  cellar  27,  28 

Lights 92 

Loads,  allowable  51,  52 

Not  to  be  overloaded  193 

Strength  of  53 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


235 


Page 

FLOOR  AND  ROOF  CONSTRUCTION — Fireproofing  of  99 

FOOTINGS — Materials  and  construction  for  34,  35 

FOUNDATION  WALLS — Adjoining  party  walls  32 

Bearing  capacity  of 33,  34 

Defined 21 

For  frame  buildings  140 

Made  safe 33,  34 

Materials  and  construction  34 

Mortar  for  34 

FRAME  BUILDINGS — Air  grates  in  141 

Alterations  in  existing 138 

Area  of 139, 140 

Attic,  use  of  restricted  139 

Defined — Frame  construction  25 

Distance  from  lot  line 139(G),  140(P),  4-6 

Fire  limits,  in 138 

Fire  limits,  out  of  139,140 

Fire-stopping,  in 141 

Fire  walls,  in  45 

Floor  beams  and  rafters  in 140,141 

Foundations  for  140 

Height  and  occupancy  139 

Outhouses,  sheds,  fences  139 

Temporary  139 

Tenements 199,  200 

Walls  and  partitions  in  141 

FRAMING — Of  steel  structural  work  76 

FURNACES — For  heating  and  other  purposes 135 

FURRED  WALLS — Construction  of  48 

Fire-stopping  of  93 

GARAGE — Boilers  or  furnaces  for  170 

Construction  of  private  garages 170 

Construction  of  public  garages 170-172  . 

Defined 21 

Fire  extinguishers,  etc 172 

Fireproof,  when  required 171 

Furnaces,  stoves,  forges,  etc.,  prohibited 171 

Lighting  System 171 

No  smoking  171 

Receptacles  for  waste,  etc 171 

GAS  FLUES 132 

GAS  PIPES  AND  APPLIANCES  182,183 

Fire  pots,  burners,  etc 183 

GIRDERS  AND  BEAMS— Steel  76 

GRADIENTS — For  horizontal  exit  60 

For  theatres 152, 158, 166, 167 

GRAND  STANDS  27 

GUTTERS  AND  CORNICES  83,  84 


236 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


GYPSUM  BLOCKS— Fire-resistive  partitions 

ings 

Partitions  in  fireproof  buildings 

Protection  of  structural  members 

Restrictions  as  to  use  of 

Shaft  enclosures 

GYPSUM  MORTAR  OR  PLASTER— Defined 

HALLWAY — Public,  defined  

Public,  enclosures  in  fireproof  building 
Public,  enclosure  in  non-fireproof  building 
Public,  in  tenements 

HEATING — Furnaces  and  Boilers  

Theatres,  of  

HEIGHT  OF  BUILDINGS— Defined  

Construction  of  water  tower,  smokestack  or 

Effect  of  pent  houses  on  

Limits  of  

Gables 

HOISTWAYS— Enclosure  for 

HOLLOW  BUILDING  BLOCKS 

HOLLOW  WALLS 

HORIZONTAL  EXIT — Class  of  required  

Defined  

Provided  with  self-closing  doors 

Requirements  for  


Pagi 

in  non-fireproof  build- 

105, 10( 

104 

101 

104-106 

87-91 

65 

23 

104, 105 

105, 106 

196-198 

135 

163,164 

21 

chimneys 49 

82,  83, 195 

49, 50 

49, 50 


91 


46 


48 


60,  61 
60,  61 
61 
60 


HOTEL — Defined  

When  required  to  be  fireproof 

HOT  WATER  PIPES  

HOUSE  MOVING — Permit  and  bond  for 

Safeguards  for  

HYDRATED  LIME — In  cement  mortar 

INCOMBUSTIBLE— Defined 

Partitions,  in  fireproof  buildings 

INTERIOR  COLUMNS— Protection  of 

INTERIOR  WALL  OPENINGS— Protection  of  .... 

JOIST — Minimum  size  and  spacing  of 

LIGHT  AND  VENTILATION — Existing  tenements 

Floor  lights  

Tenements  

Theatres  

Vent  shafts ; 

LIME — Cement  mortar 

Hydrated 

Mortar  

Slacked  

Quality  of 

LINING — Chimneys 

Existing  and  hollow  walls  


22 

27 

136 

17 

17 

65 

22 

.104, 105 
102 
. 86,  87 

. 79,  80 

.201-203 
92 

.195-203 

.164-168 

90 

65 

65 

65 

65 

65 

132, 133 
47,  48 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


237 


Page 

LINTELS  AND  ARCHES  ' 49 

LINTELS — Cast  iron  75 

LOADS — Column  52,  53 

Concentrated  52 

Dead,  defined  20 

Floor  51, 52 

Live,  defined  22 

Roof  52 

Sidewalk  53 

LOADING  TESTS — For  floor  construction 128-131 

LOT — Area  occupied  29-31 

Area  occupied  for  tenements  195 

LOT  LINE — Distance  of  building  from  84,139,140 

MARQUISE — Buildings  erected  on  192 

Gutters  and  valleys  for  192 

Metal  and  glass  192 

Manner  of  construction  192 

Permits  for  14 

MASONRY — In  compression  70,71 

MATERIALS— Tests  of  63,  64 

MEANS  OF  EGRESS  53-54 

METAL  LATH  AND  PLASTER— Enclosures  for  shafts 89-91 

Partitions  104,105 

MISCELLANEOUS — Construction  and  requirements 92 

Fireproofing  103 

MILL  OR  SLOW-BURNING  CONSTRUCTION— Defined  95 

Foundations  and  walls 96 

Floors .. 97 

Limits  of  height  and  area 49-51 

Partitions  in  98 

Protection  of  yrall  openings  96 

Roofs,  skylights  and  cornices  for 97,  98 

Stairways  and  elevators  in  98 

Timber  construction  in  97,  98 

MOMENTS — Bending  in  reinforced  concrete  construction 111,112 

MORTAR— Cement  65 

Chimneys 132 

Fire  walls 45 

Gypsum  65 

Lime 65 

Ordinary  41 

MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  166-168 

Approval  168 

Apprentice  operators  169 

Board  of  examiners 168 

Fees  for  license  14 

License  of  operators 168,169 

Operators  of  machines 168 

Owners  to  recommend  168 


238 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


Page 

NEW  CONSTRUCTION— Tests  129 

NEW  MATERIALS— Tests  63,  64 

NON-FIREPROOF  BUILDINGS— Classified  24-29 

Allowable  floor  areas  50,  51 

Business  and  residence  93,  94 

Fire-resistive  partitions  105,106 

Limitations  for  use  27-29 

Limits  of  height 50,  51 

Partitions  and  ceilings 94 

OCCUPANCY — Classification  of  buildings 26 

Theatre  buildings  restricted  150-166 

OFFICE  BUILDING— Defined  22 

Floor  loads 52 

ORDINARY  CONSTRUCTION— Defined  25 

OUTHOUSES — Tool  houses,  sheds,  fences 139 

OUTSIDE  EXIT  STAIRWAYS  60,  61 

OVENS— Bakers’  133 

Flues  133 

Foundation  133 

Protection  of  smoke  stacks  for,  through  roofs 133 

OVERLOADING  OF  FLOORS— To  be  avoided 193 

PAINTING— Structural  steel  work 78 

PARAPET  WALLS— Defined  22 

Exterior  or  party  walls  46 

Fire  walls  in  general 45 

Fire  walls  in  frame  buildings  141 

Mortar  41 

Shafts  in  fireproof  and  non-fireproof  buildings 87-90 

PARTITIONS — Considered  as  live  load,  Paragraph  40 22 

Fire  exit  62,  63 

Fire  exit  partitions  defined  . 20 

Fire-resistive  in  non-fireproof  tenements  199,200 

Fire-stopping  93-141 

Fire  test 126,127 

In  mill  construction 98 

In  non-fireproof  buildings  105 

In  fireproof  buildings  104 

In  old  stores,  etc 142 

Not  of  plank,  sheet  metal,  or  beaver  board  142 

Sash  and  glass  in  offices,  etc 142 

Sash,  glass  and  stucco  enclosing  porches  142 

PARTY  WALLS— Defined  23 

Foundations  adjoining  32 

Protection  of  openings  45 

Thickness  43 

PASSAGE  AROUND  BUILDINGS  OR  MATERIALS 16 

Board  walk  16 

Fences 16 

Removal  on  order  of  Supervisor  16 

Supervisor  to  designate  space  16 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS  239 

Page 

PENALTIES — For  violations  225 

PENT  HOUSES — Affecting  height  of  buildings  82,83,195 

Construction  and  use 82 

Defined  19 

On  tenements  83-195 

PERGOLAS— Use  of  195 

PERMISSIBLE  WORKING  STRESSES  69-73 

PERMIT — Building  construction  . . 11 

Bonds  filed  15-17 

Certificate  of  architect  or  engineer  necessary 11-107 

Fees  for  permits 13, 14 

Must  be  kept  on  works  12 

Necessary  for  all  works  11 

Null  and  void  12 

Preliminary  requirements  11 

Plan  to  be  filed 11-107 

Revocation  of  permit  12 

Signs,  sign  bulletins  and  billboards 13, 14 

Temporary  structures  and  street  enclosures  14-16 

PIAZAS— Described  139 

PIERS — Construction  of  u 40 

PILES — Concrete  37,  38 

Sustaining  power  36 

Under  frame  buildings  37 

Wooden  36 

PIPES— Chases  for  48 

Gas  182,183 

Smoke  134 

Sprinkler  146 

Steam  and  hot  water 136 

PLANS  AND  SPECIFICATIONS — Approval  or  rejection  of 11, 12 

Amendment  to 12-107 

Certificate  of  architect  or  engineer  on 11,107 

Filing  11,12,107,187 

Not  to  be  deviated  from 12-107 

Plaster  board,  fibre,  defined  20 

PLASTER — Cement  defined  19 

Cement,  tempered,  defined  19 

Gypsum,  or  gypsum  mortar  65 

PLUMBING — In  tenements  201-203 

PRESSED  STEEL  CONSTRUCTION 106 

PROJECTIONS — Beyond  building  line 95 

PROTECTION — Metal  structural  members 78-101 

Metal  structural  members  in  fireproofing 101,102 

Metal  structural  members  in  non-fireproofing  104 

Outside  scaffold  193 

Overloading  193 

Provision  for  safety 192, 193 

Skylight  and  roof  85 


240 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


PROTECTION — Continued.  Page 

Temporary  supports  193 

Vent  flues  and  ducts 136 

Vertical  openings 87-91 

WalLopenings  85,86,96 

Workmen  and  public 192 

PUBLIC  BUILDINGS— Defined  26 

Required  fireproof  26 

PUBLIC  HALLWAY— Defined  23 

PUBLIC  SAFETY 192, 193 

QUALITY  OF  MATERIALS  63-69 

RANGES  AND  STOVES  136 

RECESSES  AND  CHASES— Walls 48 

RE-INFORCED  CONCRETE — Aggregates  108,109,123,124 

Approved 107 

Beams  112-114 

Cement 108 

Columns,  eccentrically  loaded  116 

Columns,  length  of 115 

Columns  and  girder  construction 115,116 

Columns  for  girderless  floors  118 

Columns,  special  116 

Columns,  with  hoops 115 

Columns,  combined  with  structural  steel 115 

Columns  without  hoops  115 

Defined 107 

Design  107,118 

Drying  and  freezing 121 

Floors,  girderless  117 

Finish 114 

RE-INFORCED  CONCRETE — Floors  of  composite  construction 114 

Depositing  concrete  120 

Floors,  systems  approved  on  design 125 

Floors,  with  girders  or  beams 113,114 

Fireproofing  123-128 

Forms,  construction  and  removal  of 121, 122 

Freezing,  affecting  removal  of  forms  122 

General  test  and  requirements  122 

Constant  supervision  required  122 

Inspector 122,123 

Joints 121 

Mixing  of  concrete 120-123 

Minimum  thickness  of  slabs 114 

Quality  107,108 

REINFORCEMENT— Defects  119 

Spacing 119 

Protection  119 

Requirements  118-123 

Splices  119 

Quality . 124 

Slabs,  minimum  thickness  of 114 


I 

NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS  241 

REINFORCEMENT — Continued.  Page 

Tests,  floors  130 

Walls,  general  construction 116 

Working  stresses  t 110-112 

Workmanship,  requirements 120-123 

REMEDIAL  ORDINANCE  3 

RETAINING  WALL — Excavation  for 31 

Thickness  at  bottom  44 

REVOCATION  OF  PERMITS  12 

REVOLVING  DOORS — Not  included  in  exit  calculations 55 

RIVETING  AND  BOLTING 77 

Stresses,  etc 78 

ROLLED  STEJ3L — Columns  and  beams 75 

ROOF  GARDEN— Over  theatre  149 

ROOFINGS — Approved  fire-resistive,  defined  18, 19 

Fire  test 128 

Of  wooden  shingle,  repairs 82 

Requirements 81,  82 

ROOFS  AND  ROOF  STRUCTURES  81-84,89 

Coverings 81 

Fireproof  construction  99 

Leaders  82 

Loads  52 

Mill  construction  97 

Pent  houses  and  bulkheads 82 

Protection  85 

Signs  on  roofs  187 

Signs  above  other  signs 83 

Sign  or  structures  on  without  owners’  consent 83 

Scuttles  on  roof 82 

Sky  signs  187 

Smokepipes  through  134 

Stacks  through  133 

Tenement  houses  203 

Thicknesses  of  cinder  concrete  slabs  125 

Thickness  of  stone  concrete  slab 116 

RUBBLE  STONE  WALLS  41 

Working  stresses  67-71 

SAFETY  AND  SANITATION— In  tenements 200-203 . 

SAFETY — Factor  of  69 

Protection  of  public  and  workmen  192,193 

Protection  from  fire  in  existing  buildings 63 

SAND — Re-inforced  concrete,  specifications 108-109 

Quality  64 

SCAFFOLDS— Outside  193 

SCHOOLS— Doors 54 

Height  of  stairway  risers 56 

When  permitted  non-fireproof  27 

SCUTTLES— Roofs 82 


242  NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 

Page 

SEATS — Assembly  halls 169 

Theatres  : \ 151-167 

SECOND  ZONE — Boundary  of  3-5 

SHAFTS — Area  of  skylight  88 

Enclosures  in  existing  buildings  91 

Enclosures  in  fireproof  buildings  87-89 

Enclosures  in  non-fireproof  buildings  90,  91 

Enclosures  around  shaftways  184,185 

SHED — Defined  23 

Fire  limits,  within 139 

Protection  of  pedestrians 193 

SHOW  WINDOW— Projection  95 

SHUTTERS— Fire  test 127 

Fire,  use  86 

SIDEWALK  LOADS  53 

Vaults  under  95 

SIGNS — Billboards,  sign  bulletins  and  fences  185 

Bond  for  sign  business 191 

Bracket  signs 189 

Cloth  signs 189 

Constructed  prior 188 

Erection  of 188 

Fences  not  over  seven  feet  high 188 

Horizontal  signs  186 

Illuminated  signs  188,189 

Materials  and  general  construction  of  signs,  etc 190 

Name  painted  on  185 

No  sign  on  top  of  another  sign 188 

Not  for  walls 188 

Permits  13, 14 

Pilaster  signs 186 

Plans  and  specifications 185-187 

Schedule  of  locations  filed 191 

Shingle  signs 186,187 

Signs  across  street  190 

Sign  bulletins,  construction,  etc 185-190 

Sign  bulletin,  defined  23 

Signs  on  Lumber,  etc 189 

Sign  on  roof,  owners’  permission 83 

Sky  signs  187 

Sky  sign,  owners’  permission  83 

Vulgar  or  obscene  matter  188 

SKELETON  CONSTRUCTION— Defined 23 

Terra  cotta  blocks  for  walls 46 

Walls 44 

SKYLIGHT— Construction  84,85 

Defined 23 

For  a shaft  area 88 

Protection  85 

SLOW -BURNING  CONSTRUCTION— Mill  construction  95-96-98 


NASHVILLE  building  laws 


243 


Page 

SMOKE  FLUES  ...131-134 

SMOKE  PIPES  134 

SMOKE  STACKS — Construction  133 

SMOKE-PROOF  TOWER — Construction  57 

Filling  the  requirements  for  stairway 60 

Where  considered,  a fire  escape 60 

When  required  61 

SOIL — Bearing  capacity 33 

Character  of 33,  34 

SPRINKLERS — Approval  of  materials,  etc 145-146 

Direction,  labels  and  approval  148 

Exceptions 145 

Existing  buildings  145 

General  requirements  145-148 

Tables  of  maximums 146 

Theatres 165 

With  fire  pumps 147 

With  pressure  or  gravity  tanks  147 

WTith  Siamese  connections 147 

STAIRS  AND  STAIRWAYS— Construction 55-57 

Fire-stopping  90, 91 

Winding  treads  prohibited  56 

STAIRWAYS — Continuity  to  be  broken  at  street  level 56 

Enclosed  interior 57 

Enclosures  in  fireproof  building 87 

Enclosures  in  non-fireproof  buildings  90,  91 

Mill  construction  98 

Number  and  width  55-62 

Outside  exit 60-62 

Smokeproof  tower  57 

Tenement  houses  197 

Theatres  153-155 

STANDPIPES — Buildings  in  general  142-145 

Exceptions 143 

Fire  Department  use 142 

General  location  143,144 

Private  protection  144 

STEAM  BOILERS— Flues  132-134 

Protection  around  furnaces  135 

STEAM  PIPES— Hot  water  pipes 136 

STEEL — Castings 68 

PRESSED  STEEL  CONSTRUCTION  106 

Compression  tension  and  shear 70 

Quality  of  and  standards 68 

Reinforcement  bars 109 

Rolled  structural  members  70-73 

STEEL  CONSTRUCTION  75-106 

Base  plates  116 

Details  75-78 

Girders  and  beams 76-102 


244 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


STEEL  CONSTRUCTION— Continued.  Page 

Protection  against  corrosion 78-102 

Protection  against  fire  102-104 

Trusses  77 

STONE  WALLS  41 

STORAGE  AND  PILING  OF  MATERIALS 15 

Bond  for  use  of  space 15 

Permit  necessary  15 

Red  lights 15 

Space  designated 15 

STORAGE  AND  HANDLING  OF  DYNAMITE  AND  POWDER 182 

Corporate  limits  182 

Blasting  caps  182 

Permit  for  selling  and  storing 182 

STORAGE  AND  HANDLING  OF  VOLATILE  SUBSTANCES 172-175 

Approved  containers  172 

Capacity  of  tanks  173,174 

Draining  of  liquids  ' .174, 175 

Filling  pipes  and  pumps  174,175 

Five  gallons  only  in  cans  172 

Sponging  prohibited  175 

Underground  tanks  173-175 

STORES — Floor  area  50,  51 

When  required  fireproof  28 

STORY — Defined 23 

Height,  limits  50,  51 

"STOVES  AND  RANGES— Regulations 136 

STRENGTH— Existing  floors 53 

Of  temporary  supports  193 

Tests  of  floor  construction  128-131 

Test  of  materials 63-64 

STRESSES — Working  stresses  69,  70 

STRUCTURAL  STEEL — Column  combined  with  concrete 115,116 

Framing  and  connecting 76 

Protection  against  corrosion  78-101 

Protection  against  fire  101-103 

Quality  of  and  standards  68 

STRUCTURAL  TIMBER 68 

Standards  68 

Stresses  71 

SUPERVISOR  OF  BUILDINGS — Office  of 9 

Assistant  to  9 

Salaries,  bond  and  duties  of  each 9-12 

TANKS— Capacity  179,180 

Dry  cleaning  178 

General  requirements  83 

Piping,  etc 181 

Safety  valves  and  appliances 181 

Sprinkler  systems  147 

Tables  for  construction 180, 181 

Wholesalers  of  volatile  oils 179 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


245 


Page 

TEMPORARY  BUILDINGS  AND  STRUCTURES  139 

TEMPORARY  SUPPORTS  193 

TENANTS  TO  BE  NOTIFIED  OF  CONDEMNATION 10 

TENEMENT — Alterations  194 

Area  of  lot  occupied  195 

Buildings  on  same  lot 200 

Cellars  194,  202,  203 

Chimneys,  fireplaces  and  flues  200 

Construction  required 194 

Court,  defined  19 

Courts,  requirements 196-203 

Dangerous  business  or  combustibles 200 

Defined  24 

Enlarged  or  altered 194-200 

Exits 199 

Fireproof  194 

Frame  prohibited  200 

Hallways,  public  construction  196-198 

Hallway,  public,  lighting 197,198 

Height  195 

Light  and  ventilation  195-201 

Non-fir eproof  194 

Partitions  in  non-fireproof 199,  200 

Pent  houses  195 

Roofs 203 

Scope  of  law 194 

Structural  requirements  * 201 

Shafts,  construction  200 

Size  of  room  and  cellars  202 

Stairways  197 

Skylights 198 

Vent  flues  136-200 

Walls  and  ceilings  203 

Water  closet  accommodations 202 

Water  Supply  201 

Yard,  defined  24 

Yard  requirements 196-203 

TERRA  COTTA — Building  block  or  concrete 464,47 

For  fireproofing  100-105 

Floor  tile,  quality 67 

Terra  cotta,  arches  100 

TEMPORARY  TOOL  HOUSES,  PATFORMS,  BOOTHS,  ETC 139 

TENTS — Where  erected  and  how 190,191 

TESTS — Of  construction  by  fire  . ... 126 

Materials 63,  64-67 

Workmanship  for  floor  construction  130 

THEATRES — Alteration,  construction  and  equipment 148-169 

Aisles  ' 152 

Alterations  149 

Approval  required  before  opening  149-168 


246 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


THEATRES — Continued.  pA6E 

Auditorium,  construction  150,151-156 

Boilers  not  permitted  163 

Capacity  measured  by  floor  area 148 

Cross  Isles  or  tunnels 152 

Courts,  width  and  length  corridors 157, 158 

Defined  24 

Diagram  of  exits 154 

Dressing  rooms 163 

Entrances,  requirements  153 

Entrance  to  street  fronts  . . . 153 

Entrance  and  exit  doorways 153 

Emergency  exits 153-156 

Exits  from  stage  . 156 

Exit  lights  165-168 

Exit  requirements  150-167 

Fire  appliances,  miscellaneous  165 

Floor  exit  152 

Fireproof  building  over  auditorium 149 

Floors  151 

Gallery,  platform,  fly  galleries 151,162-166 

Gridiron  and  scenery 162 

Gradients . .158-166 

Heating  apparatus  163,164 

Lighting  164 

Moving  picture  requirements 166-168 

Occupancy  of  building  restricted  150-166 

Openings  in  exterior  walls  161 

Outside  balconies,  construction  155 

Passages  152 

Proscenium  curtain  159-161 

Proscenium  wall  and  openings  in  same 158-161 

Roof  garden  over  149 

Seats  : 151-167 

Separation  of  vestibule  and  auditorium  150 

Sprinkler  and  stand  pipe  equipment  165,166 

Stage,  construction  and  equipment  161,162 

Stairways  and  balconies  55-62,154,155,156 

Steps  in  aisles 152 

Standing  in  aisles  not  permitted  148-152 

Width  of  aisles  152 

Vestibule  and  auditorium  separated  150,151 

Vestibule  at  stage  entrances  161 

Ventilation  of  stage 162 

Workshops,  storerooms  and  property  rooms  150 

THIRD  ZONE— Boundary  of  5 

TIE  RODS — Requirements  125 

TIMBER — Columns,  posts  and  trusses  81 

In  mill  construction 97,  98 

Ordinary  construction 80,  81 

Prohibited  in  walls 40 

Structural,  quality  of  and  standards  68 

Working  stresses  71-73 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


247 


Page 

TRIMMER  ARCHES 134 

TRIMMER  BEAMS  79 

TRUSSES— Of  steel 77 

Tension,  compression  and  framing  77 

UNFINISHED  BUILDING— walls  49 

VAULTS  UNDER  SIDEWALKS  95 

VENT  FLUES  AND  DUCTS— Construction 136 

Tenements  200 

VENT  PIPES  136 

VENT  SHAFTS — Construction  90 

Existing  tenements  201 

VENTILATION — General  requirements  92 

Theatres  162,163 

VERTICAL  OPENINGS — Protected  in  existing  buildings 91 

Protection  in  fireproof  building 87-90 

Protection  in  non-fireproof  buildings  90,  91 

VOLATILE  OILS— Wholesalers 179 

Storage  and  handling 172-175 

VIOLATIONS — Penalties  and  fines 225 

WALLS — Adjoining  protected 31-33 

Anchors  in  brick  39 

Arches  and  lintels  49 

Ashlar,  facing  41 

Bearing,  defined  19 

Brick,  general  construction  38,,  40 

Brick,  weight 69 

Curtain  wall,  defined  20 

Division  walls,  defined  20 

Existing  walls 47,  48 

Exterior  walls  defined  20 

Fire  walls,  defined 21 

How  built,  fire  walls  45 

Height  and  thickness  of  curtain  walls 44 

For  dwelling  house  class,  thickness 42 

For  warehouse  class,  thickness 43 

Foundation  walls  34 

Defined 21 

Footings  34 

Furred,  construction  48 

Furred,  fire-stopping  93 

Height  of  between  lateral  supports  43 

Hollow  48 

Hollow  block  46 

Joint  party  wall,  defined  22 

Lining  of  walls .' 47,  48 

Masonry,  in  rows  of  frame  buildings  141 

Mortar  * 41 

Non-bearing  walls,  defined 22 

Panel  or  enclosure,  defined  22 


248 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


WALLS — Continued.  Page 

Panel  for  skeleton  construction 44-46 

Parapet,  defined  22 

Party  walls,  defined  23 

Party  walls,  thickness 42 

Piers 40 

Plank,  sheet  metal,  or  beaver  board,  not  permissible 142 

Proscenium,  in  theatre 158 

Protection  of  openings  85,  86 

Recesses  and  chases 48 

Reinforced  concrete  116 

Retaining  walls,  defined 23 

Retaining  walls  in  general  31,  32 

Separation  of  wooden  beams 79 

Sash  and  glass  walls  for  porches 142 

Sash  and  glass  walls  for  offices 142 

Stone 41 

Thickness  affected  by  openings 44 

Thickness  for  brick  walls  42,  43 

In  unfinished  buildings 49 

In  old  stores  142 

Veneered  39, 40 

Working  stresses  70,  71 

WALL  OPENINGS— Protection  85,86,96 

Columns  to  be  fireproof  101,102 

Girders  to  be  fireproof  101,102 

Steel  girders  and  beams  102 

WALLS  IN  OLD  STORES,  ETC 142 

WEIGHT  OF  MATERIALS  69 

WHOLESALERS  OF  VOLATILE  OILS 179 

WIND  PRESSURE — Formula  for  compression  members 73 

Buildings 73 

Circular  chimneys  73 

Signs  187 

WINDOWS— Fire  tests  127 

Protection  of  bay  and  oriel 95 

Show,  protection 95 

WIRED  GLASS— Defined 24 

WOODEN  BEAMS— Anchors  80 

Bearings  at  ends  80,  81 

Minimum  sizes  79,  80 

Separated  from  masonry  chimneys  80 

Separation  in  walls  79 

WOODEN  BUILDINGS  138 

Temporary  tool  houses,  booths,  sheds 139 

WOODEN  COLUMNS,  POSTS  AND  TRUSSES 72-81 

WOODEN  FENCES  139 

WOODEN  PIAZZAS— Within  fire  limits v 139 

WOODEN  PILES  36,  37 

WOODEN  SHINGLES — Allowable,  and  for  repairs  where 82 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING  LAWS 


249 


Page 

WORK— On  Sabbath  day  204 

WORKING  STRESSES  FOR  BUILDING  BLOCKS 66-67 

Cast  iron  columns  72 

Columns  eccentrically  loaded 72 

Reinforced  cinder  concrete  125 

Reinforced  concrete  columns  115,116 

Reinforced  stone  concrete  110-123 

Steel  columns  72 

Structural  materials  69-72 

^WORKMANSHIP— Test  for  floor  construction 130,131 

WORKMEN  AND  PUBLIC— Protection  192,193 

WRECKING  OF  BUILDINGS— Permit  for 14-16 

Bond  to  be  filed  for 16 

Safeguards  for  16 

YARD— Defined 24 

Tenement  houses  196 

ZONES— Defined  24 

Boundary  of  First  Zone 5 

Boundary  of  Second  Zone 3-5 

Boundary  of  Third  Zone  5 

Boundary  of  Fire  Retarding  Zone 5,  6 

Boundary  of  Factory  Zone  6-8 


Index  to  Eectrical  Laws. 


ELECTRICAL  INSPECTOR— Appointment  204 

Approval  204 

Bond  and  salary  204 

Condemnation  of  works  207,  208 

Duties  of 205-208 

Issue  Certificates 204-207 

Inspections  205 

Joint  approval 204 

CONDUIT  TO  BE  USED  206 

FEES — Certified,  to  be 206 

Contractors  -to  be  licensed  205 

Duties  of  city  officers  224 

Fines  and  penalties  225 

Inspections  for  205 

Joint  for  booths  204 

Joint  for  signs  204 

National  Code  to  be  used  206 

Permits  for y 205 

Plans  and  specifications 204 


250 


NASHVILLE  BUILDING'  LAWS 


Index  to  Boiler  and  Elevator  Laws. 

Page 

BOILER  AND  ELEVATOR  INSPECTOR— Appointment  20.8 

Bond  and  salary  of 208 

Boilers,  inspection  211,212 

Certificates  issued 210-212 

Certificate  posted  213 

Duties  of  Inspector  209,210 

Exemptions 213 

Fees  for  inspection  208,  209 

Keep  records  210 

Minor  repairs  217 

Permits  208,209 

Steam  and  hot  water  boilers  214 

Vapor  heating  systems 214 

Warm  air  furnaces  . . .* 214 

Warm  air  pipes  and  registers 215,  216 

ELEVATORS — Age  limit  of  operators 224 

Clearance  for  cars  221 

Code  of  American  Society  of  Engineers 213 

Controlling  mechanism 223 

Counterweights  219 

Duties  of  owners  and  users 213 

Floor  locks 220 

Freight  cars  220 

Furnace  rooms  214 

Hatchway  doors  219 

Hatchway  windows  220 

Hoisting  cables  220,221 

Inspection  of  217 

Installations  prior  223 

Overhead-pit  clearance  218 

Overhead  protection  218 

Overhead  supports  and  guides 218 

Passenger  cars  219 

Passenger  enclosure 218,  219 

Penalties  and  fines 225 

Police  224 

Regular  service  inspections 223 

Safety  appliances  222 

Safety  devices  221 

Slack  cable  device  223 

Switches,  operating  and  emergency  222,223 

Smoke  pipes  and  protections  215 

Terminal  stops  222 

Warning  chains  220 


^O.S-0RB»NA 
01  Nashv\Ue 


